Fan Cover

An image of a ivory fan with pink and blue flowers on the top. Under is a long green sparkly fabric piece, which is the fan holder. It is sitting on a white doily on top of a wood table.
Fan holder and fan from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: Likely England
Year: ca. 1890s
Materials: Fabric and metal 

Fans were a popular accessory for Victorian lady. They could be used for communication, temperature control, and for fashion. This fan cover would be slipped over the top and sides of a closed fan and would hang on to the wrist. This allowed ladies to dance without their fan opening or dropping on the floor during an event. A metal and silk tassel at the base of the holder ornaments the piece.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.