These fans were made in Indonesia.
Parchment screen fans with scalloped edges are used as dance props all over Indonesia. They are made using the same techniques applied to leather shadow puppets or wayang kulit.

These fans were made 1895-1905.

Collected by Christian Thornett

Hand fans (4), buffalo hide/horn, Indonesia, 1895-1905.

Fan: circular serated edged fan of pierced and painted buffalo skin parchment decorated in gold and black. A craved horn handle forks at base to extend three quarters along the edge of the fan to act as a support. The fan is attached to narrow horn extensions by means of thread wound through pierced holes. Central motif of standing gold Garuda with out-stretched wings, detailed in black with red beak. Surrounding motifs of leaf and bamboo in gold and black.

Fan: fixed handscreen type fan made from pierced and painted buffalo hide and held by honey coloured horn. Oval shaped leaf with lobed and barbed edge decorated on both sides with double headed garuda painted in gold with red and black detail within central medallion. Painted scroll designs within edge lobes. Flat horn handle with carved openwork detail, scratched foliate.

Fan: fixed handscreen type fan made from pierced and painted buffalo hide and held by honey-coloured horn. Oval shaped leaf with lobed and barbed edge decorated on both sides with double headed garuda birds. These are painted in gold with black and red detail surrounded with scrolling floral sprigs in gold, blue, green and red. Flat horn handle with carved openwork detail that forks at the bae of the leaf and extends up the side of the central motif to act as a support for the leaf.

Fan: oval serated edge fan of pierced buffalo hide painted black with gold and black pattern. A carved horn handle fork at base of the leaf at extends along the lower edge before branching out to run in a curve as a support for the leaf. This support is attached to the leaf by gold and white thread. Central motif of a double headed garuda bird with red detail surrounded by gold foliage.

Made: Indonesia; 1895 - 1905

A5409

1895 - 1905