The Restoration Han Fan or its repair aims to restore its physical and aesthetic or artistic characteristics. In other words, get it as close as possible to its original state.
Interestingly, the repair or restoration of an antique hand fan, has the purpose of restoring its physical and aesthetic or artistic characteristics, getting it as close as possible to its original condition.
Examples restoration Hand Fan and repair
Repair Hand Fan of mother-of-pearl and tulle country decorated with watercolor and embroidered designs
Restoration Cantonese fans also called the 1000 faces.
Initial state – Cantonese Fan or 1000 Faces Fan. The Country is made of silk with figures that have faces made of ivory and the clothes are painted or applied silks. It is an example of this style of fans due to the strong colors and scenes of court life such as popular events. However, the country has a tear in the central part and wear of the material due to the folds.
Final state – 100-sided fan with black lacquered ribs and guards decorated with figurative scenes in gold. Firstly, Japan paper grafts have been made, especially in the weakest ones, and consequently it has been pictorially reconstructed looking for the same colors.
Recovery Hand Fan of English origin from the end of the 18th century
Initial State – Fan with ribs with mother-of-pearl and silk country reliefs with gold thread embroidery and sequin inlays. The fan had an antique restoration. A type of glued paper has been applied to the back area to reinforce the torn areas. Certain rods and the guard were broken.
Final State – The restoration consisted of reinforcing and gluing the mother-of-pearl rods. . To reinforce the broken areas, a Japan paper country has been made in the area on the back.
Restoration of Elizabethan Hand Fan from the 19th century with chiselled bone rods
As another good example, the Initial State of an Elizabethan Hand fan from the beginning of the 19th century. It has chiselled bone rods and a central detail with a chromolithography. Made of paper with medieval scenes, this one presents some torn and glued with adhesive tapes. The guard is broken.
On the other hand, Final State, the restoration consisted of removing the adhesive tapes by means of heat. To reinforce the broken areas, grafts have been made with japan paper and a pictorial reconstruction looking for the same colours. The guard has been reinforced.
Reconstruction of Chinese fans from the 19th century, which responds to the typology known as the “Fan of a Thousand Faces”
Initial state – Cantonese Fan or 1000 Faces Fan. The Country is made of paper with figures whose faces are made of ivory and their clothes are painted or applied silk. However, the country has a gap in the central part.
Final state – 1000 sided fan with metal and enamelled rods and guards. Firstly, Japan paper grafts have been made, especially in the weakest ones, and consequently it has been pictorially reconstructed looking for the same colors.
Recovery Silk fans with blonde mother-of-pearl rods
Initial State – Fan with painted silk country and blonde mother-of-pearl ribs. The country has different breaks in silk. Due to the passage of time and to prevent further breakage, adhesive tapes, commonly called tape, were placed on the back area. This fact has harmed the silk itself. The guard has a tear.
Final state – The restoration process has consisted of removing the adhesive tapes that had been applied to the back area, using heat and in certain cases a chemical process, trying not to damage the country’s silk. Due to the poor state of the country, a new country has been made in the reverse area. The broken mother-of-pearl rods have been glued and reinforced.
Eulàlia Restauradora we are specialists in the restoration of hand fans of all types and ages. Folding or fixed fans, Elizabethan, made of fabric, paper, silk or tulle leaf or with bone, mother-of-pearl or metallic sticks, etc. Contact me and ask for a budget without obligation!