Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-09-11
STORY OF THE FAN.


Modern MarabOut.
The nineteenth century belle, who,
after casting last look of satisfaction
into the mirror which reflects her
charms takes her marabout fan, prob
ably has no idea that the original of
her graceful toy was the exclusive pre-
rogative of sovereigns and ecclesiastical
dignitaries. The Egyptians and Meso-
potamians, who kindly bequeathed to
posterity wall pictures whose clear and
solid outlines show US the most minute
details of their civilization, display
magnificent specimens OF feather fans,
which, borne on long poles by the at
tendants surrounding royal personages,
served the practical purpose of protect
ing them from the scorching rays of
tropical sun and at the same time con-
tributing to the pomp and splendor of
the pageant.
The pictures on Greek vases show us
the ladies of Athens and Corinth in va
rious graceful poses holding fans which,
though still retaining the form of the
palm-leaf appear to have been. like the
hand-mirror, an important and artistic
ally ornamented adjunct of the toilet.
The Roman women were by no means
behind their Hellenic sisters in appre-
citation of these dainty trifles, as is
proven by the numerous passages in the
writings of the classic poets and histo-
rians; nay, in the degenerate days of the
later Emperors the fan was part of the
equipment Of the elaborately-attired
dandies who strolled through the marble
halls of the baths
The middle ages held it in no less
esteem, and the most superb decorations
were lavished upon it, but it still re-
tanned the original form of the palm
leaf, and usually consisted of bright
hued feathers fastened to handle.
Not until the period of the rennais-
sance 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 circular in form and made of silk or
parchment, ornamented 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 a 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 ordinarily
gift from Eastern Asia, initiated in
Italy-nay, it is probably the first ex-
ample of the influence Japan has exert
ed upon Western art and which of late
has made itself SO distinctly felt in
France.
The original folding-fan, according to
the modern ideas, was enormous, and
not until the seventeenth century did
it shrink to moderate dimensions. The
broad top has always afforded an adj
mirable field for decoration by painting,
embroidery, and lace of every descrip-
ton The extremes of luxury attained
by this article Of dress are evinced by
the statement that toward the close of
the sixteenth century a fan valued at
80, 900 was given to Margaret Of Lor-
raine by Queen Margaret of Navarro.
This beautiful toy was composed of
mother of pearl set with precious
stones. During the eighteenth century
the material value of fans was greatly
enhanced by art. Besides number Of
nameless painters, whose grace and
skill would secure them a conspicuous
place among the artists Of the present
time, men of eminence. like Vatican
and Boucher, did not distain to employ
their genius in decorating fans.-Wash-
ington Star.
-Police-''What are you waiting
around here for?" Sad Young Man
''I'm waiting to see fellow get thrown
down the steps. It's the fellow who
beat me out of my girl. He has just
gone in there to see about getting his
consent / knew he was. coming, and
have sent four peddlers and a book
agent in there within the last half
hour"