Along with being a means to keep cool, the fan has historically served a social function. There has always been a close relationship between clothing and ritual, social standing, functions and duty, and clothing and accessories have been used to identify a person's position within Chinese society. The Chinese character 'fu' means clothing or dress. However that same character also has a wide range of other connotations including 'to serve' and 'obey'.

This particular fan has been made using a silk kesi weave; a rare artform involving intricately hand-woven silk, often using gold thread, which was decorated with designs, sacred iconography or calligraphy. T

This Chinese silk fan is part of the Christian Rowe Thornett collection. Christian was the daughter of successful tobacco manufacturer and philanthropist Sir Hugh Dixon who was knighted in 1921. Her mother, Lady Emma Elizabeth Dixson nee Shaw (1844-1922), was a patron of numerous charitable organisations 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 her extensive collection was a tea-service previously owned by Marie Antoinette. Thornett was born in 1879 and travelled extensively from her early 20s, spending time in China, which is possibly where she met her husband. Like her father, Thornett was known for her philanthropy and support of charities.

This fan is likely to have been collected by Christian's mother, Emma, however may have been acquired by Thornett on her travels. On her death in 1972, Christian's extensive collection comprising Chinese works of art, jade and embroideries, coins, furs, jewels, silverware, Persian carpets, glassware, porcelains, furniture, and period clothing, was auctioned over 3 days with the proceeds donated to charity. 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 objects acquired by Christian Rowe Thornett are also included in the collections of the Art Gallery of NSW and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

This particular object 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

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

Blue silk kesi fan, one of a pair, with metallic thread embroidery and a carved wooden handle with ivory trimmings. The fan comprises a rigid palm shaped wire frame with a central spine and design of two fish with wisteria and plum blossoms. It is also border trimmed with intricately woven bands of black and green, purple and white. The handle slides and clips onto the bottom of the fan and is secured in place with a small nail.

Made: China; 1900 - 1920


Owned: China

Used: China

None

A5387-10

1900 - 1920

445 mm

320 mm

40 mm