This miniature fan was preserved with a group of Victorian wedding dress accessories. It is believed to have been a wedding favour for a bridesmaid at a 1887 ceremony. Measuring under 22 cm when opened, it is the right size for a young girl to carry.
Many of the Museum's adult fans are luxury objects, with unique hand-painted designs and finely carved sticks. They would have been preserved for their beauty and workmanship. This child's fan, which is in fine condition, is a rare survival. It would have been mass- produced, with simply painted wooden sticks and a commercially printed paper leaf. The leaf is further accented with gilding and tiny metal sequins. The romantic scene depicting a shepherdess being politely courted by a well-dressed gentleman would have been appropriate for a bridesmaid's fan.
Physical description
Miniature fan. Paper leaf, gilded and lithographed in vibrant colours with a pastoral 18th-century scene depicting a shepherdess and her suitor, rococo scrolls, accented with small metal spangles. Reverse of leaf in tan paper fleckled with gold leaf. 16 hand-painted wood sticks (including guards).
Place of Origin
Great Britain, UK (possibly, made)
Date
late 19th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Lithographed paper accented with gilding and spangles, hand-painted wood
Dimensions
Width: 21.5 cm opened, Length: 12 cm closed, Depth: 2 cm closed, Width: 1 cm guard sticks
Object history note
This is associated with the wedding of Elizabeth Wroughton Richards to the Reverend Andrew Nugee on 8th August 1854, but might be connected to their son's wedding in 1887. It is believed to have been a wedding favour for a bridesmaid.
Descriptive line
Miniature fan, gilded and lithographed with pastoral 18th-century scene of shepherdess and suitor, possibly Great Britain, late 19th century
Exhibition History
Unveiled: 200 years of wedding glamour from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington 17/12/2011-22/04/2012)
The White Wedding Dress: 200 Years of Wedding Fashions (Bendigo Art Gallery 01/08/2011-06/11/2011)
Labels and date
Wedding accessories from the Nugée family
Many wedding artefacts are preserved because marriage is so significant an event in the lives of the participants. Some pass from one generation to the next, becoming family heirlooms. The Nugée family kept this group of fragile objects because of their importance to the family history. The objects conjure up the romantic prettiness typical of many Victorian weddings.
Shoes
Chapelle
Paris, France
1854
Silk satin, cotton and leather
V&A: T.4:1, 2-2008
Wreath
Britain
1854
Feather and silk-wrapped wire
V&A: T.6-2008
Wedding favours
Britain
1854
Cotton, silk, paper and wire
V&A: T.7, 8-2008
Bridesmaid's fan
Britain
1854
Paper leaf with metal spangles, wooden sticks and guards
Associated with the wedding of Elizabeth Wroughton Richards and Reverend Andrew Nugée, 8 August 1854
V&A: T.14-2008
Shoes
France or Britain
1887
Silk satin, cotton and leather
Associated with the wedding of Edith Elizabeth Alston and Francis Edward Nugée, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Nugée, 1887
V&A: T.5:1, 2-2008
Collection given by Edward Nugée QC [2011]
Materials
Paper; Wood; Gold leaf; Spangles; Ribbon, silk
Techniques
Lithography; Painting
Subjects depicted
Scrollwork; Mountains; Sheep; Lakes; Pastoral; Shepherdess
Categories
Fashion; Marriage; Accessories; Fans
Collection code
T&F
