#352 - Visit the Fan Museum

Timeout says:
The world's only museum dedicated to fans. It's a tiny space that holds two rooms and a total collection of 4,000 antique fans, some of which date as far back as the 11th century.

Dave did:
I'm a bit lost for words on what to say about this place. It's a quaint wee tea-shop kinda museum, originally only 2 rooms big (1 being primarily a gift shop!), it was Open House London week and so they had laid on an extra 2 rooms to display their range of fans.

Only a small cabinet was dedicated to electric fans, which was a little disappointing, but I did learn one of two things about the making of fans. Turtle sheets, pearls and cardboard were all explored and used as a frame before it was decided that wood was the best option (how on earth do you turn a turtle shell into a fan anyway?).



The best fan on show in my humble opinion was a nice white thing from the 19th century which had the Royal Opera House's seating plan printed across it. Very functional and forward thinking if you ask me! Then again you'd be screwed if you then took it to the Royal Albert Hall!

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