Hand fans have been around from the Ancient Egyptians. Not only were they practical for cooling people (and swotting pesky bugs) but they were used as a means to display wealth and social status. Fans were also used to commemorate historical events such as a royal wedding, the first hot air balloon flight and the French Revolution.



The most exciting thing however, was the secret language associated with them. From the Baroque era fans were an instrument for coquetry. Lovers could use fans as a means of communicating without words.



Interestingly though, some fans were used as a different form of communication.


Similar to the opulent objects created by goldsmiths and silversmiths in the 17th-century to be used in drinking games at various European courts, the fan was an integral part of a popular 18th-century party game called ‘Fanology’ or ‘Speaking fan’. These fans were printed with questions and answers on either side and also gave examples of how to hold a conversation at a party by just using signs and gestures.