In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, hand fans were both elegant accessories and subtle tools of communication. Crafted from silk, lace, feathers, or carved ivory, they reflected a lady’s refinement and social status. Beyond their practical use for cooling, fans played a role in courtship - gestures and movements formed a “language” through which women could discreetly express interest or disapproval. Whether lavishly painted or delicately embroidered, fans were graceful extensions of etiquette, fashion, and flirtation.