Women used fans not only to cool off, but also to convey non-verbal cues in social situations. This was especially true at gatherings involving the opposite sex. Parties and balls were not only occasions for pleasure, but complex social rituals in which participants closely observed and rated each other’s appearance and behavior. The artful use of a fan helped its owner to present an image of gentility and grace.
Fan. ca. 1800. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/1916-18/. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.