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The origin of fans can be traced back to the use of the human hand itself as a means to suppress the heat or light fires. Later, tree leaves, branches, planks of wood, bird feathers, bones and so on have been used to manufacture delicate and useful fans, which have changed their use and, above all, shape to arrive at the traditional rib shape we know so well and whose apogee was 18th century Europe. It should also not be overlooked that China, Korea and Japan had a huge fan-making tradition dating back several centuries before.

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Selection criteria
As with other collectible items, there are several criteria when it comes to starting a fan collection which vary according to personal taste. Two of the most common are the type of material used (wood, marble, plastic...) and the subject of the decoration. However, the most popular criteria used by collectors is the country or area of origin. The most sought-after tend to be those coming from oriental countries such as China, Korea or Japan. It was in Japan that foldable fans were born. According to an age-old tale, a bat entered a fan factory one night, was killed by a worker with a pole and fell to the ground. The worker then studied the bat's wings, whose membranes folded and unfolded, held together by strong nerves and tendons and decided to produce a fan imitating the animal's wings. Since then, the oldest Japanese folding fans have been known as komori, meaning bat. The most sought-after are decorated in gold, with marble and mother-of-pearl adornments. In some regions, the tradition of giving them away as presents on special occasions and especially weddings still continues.

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African and American fans are also sought-after. These have traditionally been displayed in anthropological museums alongside farming tools, household goods, musical instruments and firearms.

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In Europe, ribbed, rectangular fans were already used in the Middle Ages, but the golden age of fans was the 18th century, when magnificent examples were displayed in aristocratic circles and all queens, princesses and distinguished ladies were not to be seen without them.

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