19th Century Hand Painted Silk Fans

These antique French silk hand fans are in as found condition, with lots of wear, but they will make the most stunning decorative feature.

Each with very pretty hand painted details of birds and florals, these fans would originally have had handles. They could be used as small fans but they were also designed as fireside face screens, designed to protect the face from excessive heat when in front of the fire.

Over the years, these have weathered and worn although the decoration remains just as striking. The handles are now missing and the silk has ripped and worn on them both, and is coming away from the surrounding frame in places. But, hung in a frame or placed carefully on a shelf or dressing table, these will make the most stunning decorative pieces.

Length, 26cm; Width, 20cm; Depth, 0.3cm