The Fan Museum in Greenwich, London is dedicated to the art of fan making and displays over 400 fans from around the world, some dating back to the 11th century. The museum offers workshops and classes on fan making and is open Tuesday to Friday. Children under 7 enter for free.
Known as the first of its kind, the Fan Museum is dedicated to the fan and the art of fan making. Located in a World Heritage Site of Greenwich in South East London, the museum allows visitors to see more than 400 fans gathered from around the world, some dating back to the 11th century. Fans are presented in exhibits that put their historical and sociological significance into context for visitors. The museum opened in 11 and has received awards from the England Tourist Board and the National Art Collections Fund.
Exhibits include the famed Helene Alexander Collection and a famous Walter Richard Sickert fan, made possible through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Sickert, known to be influenced by tabloid scenes and the theatre, painted Victorian and Edwardian scenes. The fan depicts Little Dot Hetherington as she performs on stage at the Old Bedford Theatre. Created on gouache on parchment and set on mother of pearl sticks and protectors, the scene is taken from Sickert’s painting and is carefully replicated on a fan leaf shape.
The Fan Museum boasts a myriad of different fans. Included are Felix Alexandre’s fans, which were used by the Empress of Russia, the Queen of the Netherlands, and Queen Victoria of England. Alexandre Fans were created by a team of artists and designers, the first to ever introduce themselves to the art of fan making. Also on display is the beautiful ivory “white devils” fan, depicting a European merchant sent away by an Asian gentleman. Also depicted on it is a lily pond, containing carp and goldfish, making it one of many intriguing fans found at the Fan Museum.
While most of the fans are not visible due to conservation efforts, visitors can still take part in many workshops. One in particular is the fan-making workshop. Visitors can learn from experts about the history of the fan and the amount of knowledge that comes with the handicraft of fans. Classes are also available where visitors will make two distinct styles of fans to take home with them. Reservations must be made in advance. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday. Children under 7 enter for free. Entry is also free for London Pass holders. The Fan Museum has a gift shop that stocks a wide variety of books, knick-knacks, and fans.
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