history
Some Fan History
The first feather fans used in Europe were simply the wings of (deceased) domesticated
fowl - ducks and chickens with perhaps the odd pheasant thrown in. Richer
ladies would have their feathers set in elaborate wooden or metal bases,
but the idea was still the same - nothing moves air like a bird's wing.
With the coming of the Renaissance and increased trade, the feathers of
more exotic birds were increasingly available. Ostrich plumes from Africa;
peacock feathers from India; birds of paradise from the Philippines. These
were incorporated into the fans and there was not the wealthy, well dressed
lady who did not have her ostrich feather fan.
However, one must remember that in Europe during the Renaissance, ladies
did not often need fans to stay cool. It was pretty cold and wet most of
the time! A big bunch of fluffy ostrich plumes looks gorgeous, but really
doesn't move much air. The fans were a fashion statement. They were designed
to look pretty and were often scented to give the lady some relief from
what was a very smelly reality.
It was in the hotter, Mediterranean countries that ladies really needed
relief from the heat. These countries also had closer contacts to the trade
routes from the East. Consequently, it was there, towards the end of the
Renaissance, that the Eastern style of folding fan was first adopted. Made
of either paper or silk stretched over wooden sticks, these fans slowly
became the standard, eventually almost replacing the feather fan.
Folding fans could also be very elaborate, made of carved ivory, lace and
lacquered wood among other materials. It was during this time that the
occasion of a lady quickly snapping her fan open or closed became an important
signal in the mating game.
Over the years, ladies have continued to use fans, both folding and feather
and sometimes a combination. Fancy Things is proud to carry on this tradition
into the present day with authentic, working Renaissance feather fans.
Lady Susan and Lord Dan at Scarborough Faire
Fancy Things History
The Lady Susan began to make feather fans for one reason only. I visited
Scarborough Faire, where it was hot as blazes, in full costume and went
looking for a fan to buy. There were none to be had. So I went home with
the resolve to right this injurious wrong. I studied the history of fans
and designed a fan that was an authentic reproduction of a Renaissance
feather fan. Then I applied at Scarborough Faire to open a shop, and the
rest is history.
Lady Susan and a display of fans The Fanne Shoppe at Scarborough Faire
Over the years, the fans I make have become fancier and fancier. I have
also made larger fans, ticklers and the fan cover. With my website and a presence
on E-Bay, I have become a worldwide concern, sending fans to England, Israel and
South Korea. In the United States, I've sent fans to Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvannia,
Texas, Washington and West Virginia.
I've finally made the transition to working on fans full time. The faires I do
now are Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, Texas and the Kansas City Renaissance
Faire in Bonner Springs, Kansas. I hope to add a couple more next year.
Thanks to all my loyal (and fan crazy!) customers for helping make my dream
a reality!
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See the Lady Susan Dressed as Xena