Fans - Anyone an expert?

jauntyrooster

jauntyrooster

Alumni
Last one today...promise. :)

I was at an auction yesterday and somehow my $3.00 bid held for these fans. I know absolutely nothing and so far my googling isnt turning up much as far as reference material. I have found a few listings but they seem to be all over the place as far as dating so I don't trust.

I wouldn't know if these were vintage, antique, or brand new reproductions. Of course the auctioneer had all sorts of wonderful things to say about them...hahaha! Not sure if these pics will help but if anyone has any thoughts or can point me in right direction of some good reference material, I would be most appreciative.

Thanks to all!

FAn #1:

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Fan #2

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2.jpg
 
The first one would be a Chinese fan made for export with sandalwood spokes and peacock feather trim. I would think 20s or 30s.

I've had some which were older that were similar to this and actually had people painted on them with hand painted ivory faces which were glued on.

The second one looks like a souvenir fan from Spain, I would think from the 30s or 40s.

Hope you had a fun time.
 
Hi,

I am not an expert on fans, but have seen, owned, collected and sold many over the years.

The first one looks fairly recent to me, not very old, similar to what is still being sold as a tourist souvenir, and not what would be considered a sought after item by fan collectors.

The second one, I agree is circa early 1930's to maybe 1950's, a tourist fan from Spain. I like it!

Fan collectors right now are seeking Victorian fans, Edwardian fans, preferably with bone (or ivory) and mother of pearl slats, French lace fans, and Spanish lace fans from the 1920's, Ostrich fans from the 1920's and previous.

Barbara
 
Maureen,

I'm not an expert on fans, either, but I think they are both older. I tend to agree with Mary Jane on the dating and description of them due to the decorative painting and motifs. I did a little bit of searching and the closest I can find to the first fan - and it's not the same is from 1932:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-vintage-chinese-peacock-feather-hand-paintd

Doesn't mean yours is from 1932 but if you look at the newer ones offered on eBay and on other sites the more recent ones just don't compare!

Definitely worth what you paid!
 
I have handled several of the peacock tipped export fans. They usually had a scene on one side and the simpler floral motif on the reverse. Is yours the same on both sides?

These fans were souvenir or export. They apparently came into the US in some numbers as I have found them and been offered them numerous times over the years. They are worth more than you paid, but not as much as many sellers think. Yours in not 'top of the line' as the sticks are wood. I have seen these with both bone and ivory sticks. So when looking for comparative values, keep that in mind. The actual prices realized on online auction sites such as ebay will give you an idea of current values. Condition is extremely important with all fans as they are very difficult, and in many cases, impossible to repair.

Hollis
 
It has much simpler floral motif on back. It doesn't span entire fan - more the middle section. Will try to get photo up.

Thanks!
 
Hi,

Yes, it is hard to tell exactly when that first fan is from, I agree.

I will say that Worthpoint is "worthless" on dating and valuing most items. The descriptions they have are the ones written by someone who had that item on Ebay or other websites, and the majority of times that person has no idea what they have or it is all here-say. The value they list is simply what the highest bidder paid, and we all know that is no way to determine true value in most cases.

I still think the first fan is recent, not much older than 1970's and possibly much newer. The wooden sticks are a slight cut above plastic so perhaps it is 1950's.... But I am no expert.

B
 
I think I will hold onto and just take to flea market with me when I set up pop up shop. That way I can just tell people that I really dont know and share some of the information I have learned here and let the buyer decide for themself.

From researching, it doesn't look like either of them will be retirement money (darn! :) but I am sure I will find a buyer who wants them for a collection or just because they are interesting and doesn't mind that I don't have firm dating. Thankfully I am not over-invested so don't have to worry about losing a bunch of money.

I greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts and input here. The auction was very fun and the fans are fun too - I like learning so was a good $3.00 spent!
 
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