This unusual folding fan is intricately decorated with natural materials. It is likely to be handmade; with pressed leaves as the central decoration, surrounded by fine plant fibers, and the panels connected by delicate bone sticks. Such fans are uncommon, and hardly photographed or published.Besides jewellery, Peranakan women used a variety of accessories, including handkerchiefs, handbags and fans. While 19th and 20th century photographs show that Peranakan men used (paper, folding) fans for weddings and formal occasions more frequently than ladies, the ladies carried a wider variety including paper, feather and plant versions. Paper versions were used for ceremonial and cooling purposes and fanning off flies, while more elaborate versions of feather and plants could also serve as a fashion accessory.Peranakan usage of fans reflects Chinese and Western influence. Modern folding fans possibly originated from China and Japan, and became popular in Europe around the 18th century In China, fans were deemed an essential part of men’s fashion during the Qing dynasty, but were also carried by ladies. Paper and silk versions could be decorated with calligraphy or painting. Feathers were also common. In Canton, carved and painted ivory and mother-of-pearl fans were also made specifically for export to European clients. In particular, the employment of pressed leaves on this fan could be traced to the popularization of this art form among ladies in Europe during the Victorian period. Thus, this fan could have belonged to a Eurasian or European lady in Java of that period.
