Chinese Folding Hand Fan: "Zhe Shan"
Collection: Everyday Connections
Object Category: Traditional Clothing and Adornment
Object Type: Hand Fans
Country: China
Continent: Asia
Geographic Region: Eastern Asia
width: 16 in;
height: 9 in;
depth: 1.25 in
This Chinese fan is a folding fan, called "che-shan ." The Chinese have been making fans for more than 2000 years. The earliest fan was simply a large leaf with a handle attached. Fans are used by both women and men.
Folding fans were a Japanese invention introduced into Japan about 1,000 years ago. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the fan's structural bones were made of bamboo, in addition to fragrant woods. The guard sticks were often decorated with carving and inlaid woods. The paper used for the fan was covered with paste to strengthen it. Designs were painted on the paper.
In modern times, fans are produced in factories, with designs printed on the paper.
Source:
https://www.fancircleinternational.org/history/chinese-fans/