FANS

The Fanmakers' Company

During the late 16^thC Huguenot craftsmen started making fans in England. Queen Elizabeth I was a fan user. A guild of fanmakers was extant during the reign of King Charles II (d.1685). The surge of Huguenot immigration that followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 included numerous fan makers. The Fanmakers Company was founded by royal charter in 1709. In the mid-18thC some of its members were women. By the end of the century many of the members had additional trades.

Queen Victoria became concerned about the state of British fan-making. In 1870 she gave 400 that was used as prize money for an exhibition of the craft that was held at the South Kensington Museum. Her artist daughter Princess Louise became the Company's royal patron. Lady Charlotte Schreiber was among her numerous achievements a noted collector of fans. In 1891 the Company made a freewoman. She was only the second woman to receive such a mark of distinction from a livery company.¹

In the late 1930s the organisation's membership was extended first to makers of ventilation fans and then to manufacturers of aircraft engines. In 1992 the Company became the tenants of the Skinners Company. The panels in Skinners Hall's had been painted by the artist Sir Frank Brangwyn (d.1956), who had been a member of the Fanmakers Company.

Location: Skinners Hall, 8 Dowgate Hill, EC4R 2SP (orange, red)

Website: https://fanmakers.com

¹. Lady Schreiber gave her collection of fans to the British Museum.

The Fan Museum

The Fan Museum possesses over 3000 fans, some of which date back to the 11^thC, as well as fan-related ephemera. The collection was amassed by Helene Alexander. The Museum was opened to the public in 1991.

Location: 10-12 Crooms Hill, SE10 8ER. The house was built in 1721.

Website: www.thefanmuseum.org.uk

Lady Charlotte Schreiber

As a child Lady Charlotte Schreiber (n e Bertie) (1812-1895) taught herself Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. Her first husband was the ironmaster and M.P. Sir John Guest (1785-1852). During the marriage she learned Middle Welsh and produced a noted translation of The Mabinogion (1849). She also involved herself in her husband s business life. Following his death, she took over the leadership of the Dowlais Iron Company.

Lady Charlotte remarried to Charles Schreiber (1826-1884). The couple travelled extensively to buy china. She also collected playing cards, fans, and board games. In 1891 she became the first woman to be awarded the freedom of the Worshipful Company of Fanmakers. The much of the china ended up in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the fans, games, and playing cards went to the British Museum.

Location: Cromwell Gardens, SW7 2RL (orange, grey)

11 Portland Place, W1N 3AA. Demolished. Her home from 1863 until 1889. (orange, red)

David Backhouse 2024