These fans were made in Indonesia.

The Garuda bird is from Hindu mythology, it is the mount of the god Vishnu. Garuda is the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god, Surya. He traveled with the spread of Hinduism to Southeast Asia where he is associated with royalty in several countries.

The lotus has symbolized fertility and related ideas, including birth, purity, sexuality, rebirth of the dead, and in astrology, the rising sun.

These fans were made 1895-1905.

Collected by Christian Thornett

Hand fans (5), buffalo hide/horn, Indonesia, 1895-1905.

Fan: semi-circular pierced and painted buffalo hide fan with carved solid horn handle. Black scalloped edges are outlined with gold pierced work. Central motif is of a double headed Garuda bird painted gold and detailed in black with two red beaks.

Fan: screen type made from pierced and painted buffalo hide and hel by buffalo horn, black painted, semi-circular leaf decorated on both sides with a central lotus blossum flanked by smaller blossoms and scrolling foliage finely painted in gold with black detail. Flat horn handle with openwork twist and double pointed tip (one point missing).

Fan: screen type fan made from finely pierced and painted buffalo hide and held by honey-coloured horn. Semi-circular feaf with scalloped edge decorated on both sides with a double headed garuda bird painted in gold with red beaks and black detail in a central medallion with intricate detail surrounding. Flat handle with openwork twist and double pointed tip.

Fan: screen type fan made from finely pierced and painted buffalo hide and held by honey coloured horn. Semi-circular leaf with scalloped edge decorated on both sides with a lotus and foliate design in gold with black detail. Flat handle with openwork twist and double pointed tip.

Fan: screen type fan made from finely pierced and painted buffalo hide and held by honey coloured horn. Semi-circular leaf with scalloped edge decorated on both sides with a lotus and foliate design in gold with black detail. Flat handle.

Made: Indonesia; 1895 - 1905

See part records for marks.

A5408

1895 - 1905