We show you two hand fans -or rather screens- that many years ago, rightly or wrongly, their vendor thought linked with North Africa.
They come as a pair, both being identically decorated except regarding the
photographies. One of them has lost the leather finish of its
handle. The total height is 46 cm ; the height of the "sheet" is 33 cm.
These screens seem made of straw (?) around a bamboo frame using
a common technique in the Far East. On it are applied in a manner
almost identical to the two objects, using a thread of linen or
cotton (?) different leather geometric elements (triangle, diamond),
shaped flowers, scimitars, or Islamic crescent. These leather
components, of various colors, are themselves adorned by large round
brass flakes.
In addition, two mirrors have been sewn. They have circular gilt metal frames forming circles and crescents.
Finally, and it is obviously important as it is the only noticeable
difference between the two screens, photographs (on photographic paper)
are applied, with a border like silvered "chenille" with large
silver metal flower-shaped spangles, alternating with the brass disks
reported above.
Element that we think interesting, the edges of the mirrors are labeled
in French "déposé" (patented). This confirms a link with the area of
influence of France when those fans were made.
You now know as much as we ... and the images speak for themselves.
So we come to the questions we ask ... and therefore we are asking:
- Where were these screens / fans made ?
- When?
- Who are the people represented, whom may have a public character?
- Whom were these fans for : local people (male or female) ? Or a European woman settled in a colonized or "protected" country , or a tourist ?
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