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Treasures from the Collection

Painted Silk Fan and Box, 1905-1915

A granddaughter of brewery founder Frederick Pabst, Lorraine MacDermott (1893-1977) used this exquisite fan while she lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She may have bought it from a Chicago shop selling Duvelleroy fans. The firm of Duvelleroy, known for its exceptional fan painting, had begun making fans in 1827, and by the late 19th century had an extensive international export business in North and South America.

Many Duvelleroy fans echoed those made in the 18th century, when love and lovers were popular themes for fans. Lorraine's fan depicts lovers looking at a statue of the Greek love goddess, Aphrodite. The love theme is reinforced with Cupid's quiver of arrows shown on either side, with one arrow placed strategically in the bull's eye.

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Decoupage Stick Fan, 1900-1910

The confidant surfer depicted on this broad leaf-shaped fan indicates this fan was probably made near the Pacific Ocean.

After almost disappearing, surfing experienced a revival during the first years of the 20th century. Hawaiians in the Waikiki area were the first to take up the surfboard again. At the time, Waikiki was becoming an important tourist destination, and surfing came to California in 1907.

Though we do not know the history of this fan, it may have been a Hawaiian or Californian tourist souvenir.

Donor Walter Haight did not visit these locations, but his in-laws, James L. and Elizabeth V. Foley of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, traveled extensively around the United States. They may have visited Hawaii or California and brought back the fan as a souvenir for their daughter and son-in-law.

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Embroidered Silk Fan and Box, ca. 1900

Frederica Zdanowicz (1902-1992) of Madison, Wisconsin received this fan as a gift from friends who had purchased it at an antique store in Spain. The fan appears to have been made in China for export to Spain.

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Lithographed Fan, 1850-1870

University of Wisconsin professor Casimir D. Zdanowicz (1883-1953) probably purchased this fan at an antique store in Paris in 1907. It represents the most popular form of fan from the mid-19th century, with its elaborate, gilded ivory sticks and lithographed and hand-watercolored images of people from the 18th century. Like some of the best fans from this time period, it was decorated on both sides.

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Painted Celluloid Brisé Fan, ca. 1890

Mary J. (Matthews) Smith Barnes (1840-1902) purchased this fan in Europe, perhaps at the time of her July 9, 1890 wedding to third husband, Cornell University president Charles Kendall Adams, in London, England. Two years later Charles Kendall Adams became president of the University of Wisconsin.

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Punched Paper and Feather Fan with Mirror, 1863

This fan was brought from Paris, France to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1863. The reason for the embossed golden wheat image is not known, but historically the wheat motif symbolized the "golden wealth" provided by Mother Earth. The fan's mirror made it possible for its owner to see discretely who was behind her.

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Painted Black Feather Fan, 1880-1900

This fan probably belonged to Jessie (Thomas) Knapp (b. 1855) of Menomonie, Wisconsin.