Fans: From the 18th to the Beginning of the 20th Century

The first in a series dedicated to highlighting museum collections in Moscow's former palaces, Fans delights and entertains with an examination of this necessary fashion accessory and cultural symbol used by the nobility and royalty for centuries. Beautifully illustrated, the book focuses on the history of this device and the diverse materials from which it was constructed, including lace, silk, satin, ivory, tortoise, bone, feathers, and precious gems and metals. An art historian at Moscow's Ostankino Museum, Tcherviakov weaves his text around historical and theatrical uses, artistic and decorative potential, and the flirtatious uses of the fan by women. More than a coffee-table standby, this book is recommended primarily for public and academic libraries focusing on the decorative arts.AStephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.