Kay Lange
"Dawn to Dusk"
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Flat or folded, wooden or ivory, paper or silk, jeweled or feathered, fans have been a significant adornment and tool since the beginning of time. Medieval European legend recounts how Eve, bothered by the attentive gaze of Adam, pulled down the branch of a tree and began to fan herself all the while contemplating with curiosity the marvels of Eden.
The use of fans spread around the globe and century after century saw the function of the fan go from “fly chaser” and “cooling” to symbols of happiness, celestial calm and sign of great merit. Fans became elaborate expressions of taste and wealth and while generally associated with ladies, even Henry VIII was taken by a passion for fans.
The fan became less for cooling than for adornment, communication, flirtation, mystery and style. The art of handling a fan demanded a lot of know how and dexterity.
The Language of Fans is particularly amusing. For example:
To yawn behind one’s
fan: Go away, you bore me.
To hide the eyes behind one’s fan: I love you.
To lightly touch one’s mouth repeatedly with the closed fan: Could I speak
with you in Private.
To fan oneself slowly: I am married.
To fan oneself quickly: I am engaged.
To place the open fan against the right cheek: Yes.
To place the open fan against the left cheek: No.
To hang the closed fan from the right hand: Adieu, good-bye.
My interpretation is hand-woven and beaded and represents two romantic and inspirational times of the day-DAWN AND DUSK.
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