Curious about an embroidered folding fan I found

Hi everyone,

Preface: I'm new as I've just found this site trying to find information about folding fans. I hope it's ok to post my query here.

Also, I know pretty much nothing about any kinds of fans, so please doubly bear with me on both counts if possible!

The fan: made primarily from wood and cloth. The wood is pretty simple, only especial detail to me is two small petals carved through the piece that would lay on top of the fan if closed.

The fabric seems similar to linen or ramie, though more stiff. It's a loose-ish almost a bit coarse of a weave. Has two tone pattern, to me resembling cherry blossom motif, very faded lighter blossoms on color background. Also a white character off to one side, I think Japanese or Chinese? But of this too I'm super ignorant. Raw fabric edge on bottom and narrow strip resembling paper tape along the top.

The embroidery is a more or less detailed/shaded depiction of a cluster of cherry blossoms (or similar flower) at the end of a branch, a couple more blossoms here and there. I think 2 colors of thread used for flowers, 2 for leaves, 1 maybe 2 for branch. My mom and I were just mulling over the stitching a bit and think it's most likely done by machine since there's no knots we can find.

My overall impression is a sort of a rustic overall aesthetic though which I think is why I'm interested in if there's anything to know about it. Though it seems unusual to me I'd be surprised if it was valuable. I guess I'm wondering if anything about its construction strikes anyone more familiar with fans as interesting.

I feel embarrassed to post photos (which is probably foolish and maybe tedious of me, hopefully not too much the latter). On the chance though that the symbol is a brand or signature or the like I'll try to post a photo of it. (and if this fan seems interesting to anyone I'll then feel less embarrassed to post more photos if requested)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read or skim this and I appreciate any thoughts!

Phoebe

 

Hi squarecoats!

Welcome to Antiquers.................

We do have a member here who knows fans. She will need pictures though.

I'll tag her for you.

@Any Jewelry

 

I feel embarrassed to post photos


we live & die by clear crisp photo's.........

if we can't see it....it lessens any help we may be able to provide.....

don't tie our hands.....help us, to help you !!

 

Hello @squarecoats & welcome to the forum.

Please do post a full photo front & back. Also a close up of any decoration or design & a close up photo of the wood pieces. I truly doubt that even @Any Jewelry can tell much from this one photo.

 

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your responses!! I will do my best with these photos!

 

bamboo & cotton...
blossoms and Chinese knots on the lanyard..

I'm thinking 1980's..... but could be earlier and not used much...

 

Thank you!! in fact the wood has snapped in several places and it won't close all the way, but still seems quite sound and sturdy. Many thanks again!

 

Beautiful fan! I wonder whether @Any Jewelry has seen this thread yet?

And welcome to Antiquers, @squarecoats !

 

Thanks for the tags, everyone. I was waiting for the fan.

It is a sweet fan, but since it isn't antique or handmade, it isn't my area of expertise.
It is Chinese, but the mark is not significant for value or relevant in any other way. I don't read Chinese, but it probably says something like 'springtime' or similar.

The fan is mass-produced, I would guess 1960s-70s, but as I said, modern mass-produced is not my area of expertise. I do buy them for use on hot days, and this is one I would have bought.
The frame is bamboo. The embroidery on the leaf is machine-made, as you and your mother thought. The design is well-balanced and pleasing to the eye.
The 'eternal knot' is a usual feature of Chinese tasseled fans. I like the fancy knots at the ends of the cords, most cords have long tassels.

 

Thank you so much for your input about the fan and also for saying nice things about it

I was thinking to display it somewhere in my apartment which is, however, quite cluttered. But I'm feeling inspired now to set it aside for use this summer! Maybe I can find or make a case for it.

Thank you again to everyone for your responses and making me feel very welcome here!