Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-30
Written for THE EVENING SrAn
THE STORY OF THE FAN.
From the Original Palm Leaf to the
Modern MarabOut.

The nineteenth century belle, who, after
casting last look of satisfaction into the
mirror which reflects her charms, takes her
marabout fan, probably has no idea that the
original Of her graceful toy WAS the exclusive
prerogative Of sovereigns and ecclesiastical
dignitaries. The Egyptians and Mesopota-
mians who kindly bequeathed to posterity
wall pictures whose clear and solid outlines
show us the most minute details Of their civili-
cation, display magnificent specimens Of
feather fans, which, borne on long poles by
the attendants surrounding royal personages.
served the practical purpose of protecting them
from the scorching rays of tropical sun and
at the same time contributing to the pomp and
splendor of the pageant
The pictures on Greek vases show us the Ia
dies of Athens and Corinth In various graceful
poses, holding fans which, though still retain
ing the form Of the palm leaf, appear to have
been, like the hand mirror, an important and
artistically ornamented adjunct of the toilet
The Roman women were by no means behind
their Hellenic sisters in appreciation Of these
dainty trifes, as is proved by numerous pas
sages in the writings of the classic poets and
hlstorians-nay, in the degenerate days of the
later emperors the fan part of the equip
ment of the deliberately attired handles who
stroiled through the marble halls of the baths.
THE MIDDLE AGES
held it in no less esteem and the most superb
decorations were iavished upon it, but it still
retained the original form of the palm leaf and
usually consisted Of bright-hued feathers fast
ened to a handle.
Not until the period Of the Renaissance do
we find change in shape, and this, too was
doubtless introduced into Europe from the east
by way OF the greatest emporium of commerce
during the middle ages-Venice. These new
fans were little banners, either square or circu-
lar in form. made OF silk or parchment orna-
mented with painting or embroidery, and often
finished with a border of feathers fastened
loosely on one side to a staff around which
they swung. But this shape, specially desig-
mated as Venetian, superb specimens Of which
are contained in collection made by the prince
OF Wales, was soon supplanted by the folding
fan, which has reigned alone throughout west
ern countries ever since the sixteenth century
This, too, was originally gift from eastern
Asia, initiated in Italy-nay, it is probably the
first example of the influence Japan has exerted
upon western art and which of late has made
itself so distinctly felt in France.
The original folding fan, according to mod
ern ideas, was enormous, and not until the
seventeenth century did it shrink to moderate
dimensions. The broad top has always Afforded
an admirable field for decoration BY painting,
embroidery and lace Of every description. The
extremes Of luxury attained by this article Of
dress are evinced by the statement that To-
ward the close of the sixteenth century Q fan
valued at $500 was given to Margaret Of Lor-
raine BY Queen Margaret of Navarro. This
beautiful toy was composed Of mother Of pearl
set with precious stoneA During the sigh-