Fan

Fans were suitable marriage gifts and brides often carried them at their weddings. They also illustrated the ceremonies attending betrothal and marriage. This is the earliest marriage fan in the V&A’s collection. The symbolic design of two hearts surmounted by a gold crown represents the ‘coronation’ of the union of two lovers. The surrounding swags and roses reflect the influence of the Baroque style. The style of the painting suggests it was made in a provincial workshop rather than one of the fan-painting studios in Paris, London or Amsterdam.