This Chinese silk fan is part of the Christian Rowe Thornett collection. It was made using tapestry weave, or kesi, here incorporating metallic gold thread. Christian was the daughter of successful tobacco manufacturer and philanthropist Sir Hugh Dixon. Her mother, Lady Emma Elizabeth Dixson nee Shaw (1844-1922), was patron of numerous charities and bestowed the bulk of her estate to the Home for Incurables in Ryde. As a connoisseur and collector of rare china, the crowning attraction of Lady Emma's extensive collection was a tea-service previously owned by Marie Antoinette. Their daughter Christian was born in 1879 and travelled widely from her early 20s, spending time in China which may be where she met her husband. Like her parents, she was known for her philanthropy and support of charities.

This fan was either collected by Christian's mother, Emma, or by Thornett herself on her travels. On her death in 1972, Christian's extensive collection was in part donated to the Powerhouse Museum (then the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences) and subsequently auctioned over three days, with the proceeds donated to charity. The collection comprised Chinese works of art, jade and embroideries, coins, furs, jewels, silverware, Persian carpets, glassware, porcelain, furniture and period clothing. Continuing the family tradition as a public benefactor, the Christian Rowe Thornett Scholarship was established in 1975 for the teaching and development of agricultural science at Sydney University. Decorative arts objects from her collection are included in the collections of the Art Gallery of NSW and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London as well as the Powerhouse Museum.

Along with being a means to keep cool, the fan served a social function historically as it came to signify the particular status of the owner. This particular example is one of a number of exquisite fans held by the Museum, and compliments other items from the Museum's collection of Chinese dress and accessories. Many of the objects donated by Thornett may be viewed as souvenirs of travel, representing the longstanding Western fascination with objects from the 'exotic east'.


REF:
Alexander, Hélène, 'Fans', B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1984
Bilney, Elizabeth (ed), 'Decorative Arts and Design from the Powerhouse Museum', Powerhouse Publishing, 1991
Iröns, Neville John, 'Fans of Imperial Japan', Kaiserreich Kunst Ltd, Hong Kong, 1982
China.org.cn, http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Jun/14910.htm
China Taiwan Information Center, http://www.chinataiwan.org/web/webportal/W5088620/Uadmin/A5296779.html

This fan was made in China around 1900-1920.

Christian was born into a high achieving wealthy, philanthropic Sydney family who shared a passion for collecting. The Thornett collection was accumulated over many years most likely by the donor's parents, Sir Hugh and Lady Dixson. This diverse collection was originally bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. However, Christian was encouraged by the manager of her affairs to first offer the collection prior to dispersal at auction, to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. The curator of the Museum selected the fan and various other items for acquisition into the Museum's holdings of decorative objects. The proceeds from the auction of remaining objects were subsequently donated to charity. It was noted that the objects were not collected personally by Christian but were most likely the contents from the family home in Summer Hill, 'Abergeldie', a grand Edwardian mansion that was demolished in 1927, a year after Sir Hugh's death.

Early Chinese fans, dating back some 3000 years, were made of materials such as bamboo, palm leaves and feathers. Throughout history Chinese fans have undergone a number of changes in design and technique. Rigid or screen fans were used in China long before the introduction of the folding fans from Japan in about 950AD. The social role of fans also developed, and along with being a means to keep cool fans came to signify the particular status of the owner.

The Portuguese began to trade with China in the early 16th century and it is likely that they introduced the fan to Europe, starting a fashion that was to last many years. Portuguese activity in the region prompted the establishment of the Dutch East India Company in 1602 and the British East India Company in 1708 to capitalise on trade opportunities offered by countries in the Asian region. Luxury products, such as porcelain, tea, spices and silk, were imported in large quantities to satisfy European demand for commodities from the East.

REF:
Alexander, Hélène, 'Fans', B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1984
Bilney, Elizabeth (ed), 'Decorative Arts and Design from the Powerhouse Museum', Powerhouse Publishing, 1991
Iröns, Neville John, 'Fans of Imperial Japan', Kaiserreich Kunst Ltd, Hong Kong, 1982
China.org.cn, http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Jun/14910.htm
China Taiwan Information Center, http://www.chinataiwan.org/web/webportal/W5088620/Uadmin/A5296779.html

Fan, silk / wire / metallic thread / wood / ivory, maker unknown, China, 1900-1920

Yellow silk kesi screen fan, one of a pair, made of silk with a carved wooden handle and ivory trimmings and embroidered with fine metallic thread. The fan consists of a rigid palm shaped wire frame and central spine and depicts a woven polychrome silk leaf with a silver pheasant on a rock surrounded by flowering branches (including a prunus, chrysanthemum and white peony). It also contains gold metallic thread details. The edge of the fan is bound with a green, white and purple woven braid. The handle slides and clips onto the bottom of the fan and is secured in place with a small nail, which is now missing.

Made: China; 1900 - 1920


Owned: China

Used: China

None

A5387-1

1900 - 1920

435 mm

320 mm

30 mm