Unfolding Pictures: Fans in the Royal Collection - Hardcover

The first-ever study of this unique collection, covers fans from the 17th to the 20th century, including some of the finest examples in existence. Lavishly illustrated throughout with new and specially commissioned photography this is published to coincide with the exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Holyroodhouse, 14 October 2005 - 6 Mar 2006; and at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, 21 October 2006 - February 2007. It is supported by marketing and mailings to antique trade press and specialist societies. The Royal Collection of fans is unique. Rather than being purchased by connoisseurs, nearly all the fans were created for or presented to their original royal owners, and have an unbroken provenance almost without precedent in the history of fan collecting. This lavishly illustrated book, the first on the subject ever written from within the Royal Collection, presents the most beautiful, important and historically interesting fans, together with the stories of their creation, acquisition and biographical information on their owners.

The fans in the collection range from a lace-cut leather fan, said to have belonged to Charles I, to three fans made in the workshops of Carl Faberge. There are examples in every material conceivable, from paper and lace to ivory, mother-of-pearl, jay and ostrich feathers, enamel and precious stones, and of every type - from the purely decorative to the topographical, from commemorative fans to tiny miniatures and intimate personal gifts. A general introduction provides background information on the history of fans and on this collection in particular, while detailed descriptions and specially commissioned colour photography highlight aspects of design and manufacture. Archive and contextual paintings, drawings, prints and photographs supplement the historical background, while a further important feature of the book is the full description of each fan, giving complete provenance and technical details (following scientific examination), together with a glossary of specialist terms, bibliography, and index.