New 18th Century fan exhibition opens in Shropshire

The Fanology: Objects of Beauty exhibition invites visitors to discover how fans were much more than just a fashion accessory

A new exhibition dedicated to 18th Century accessories has opened at a Shropshire art gallery.

The display features a collection of 15 fans dating to between 1770 and 1950 which the National Trust says has never been seen before.

Lady Labouchere, the final owner of Dudmaston, a National Trust property near Bridgnorth, inherited fans from across the globe.

The display is on show at Dudmaston until the end of October.

The fans were owned Lady Labouchere (1908-1996), the final owner of Dudmaston

The exhibit features a number of folding fans, known as brisé - meaning broken in French - and battoire, meaning batting fans.

A peach ostrich-feather fan from the 1900s also on display was given to Lady Labouchere by her aunts, Maud and Florence Hamilton-Russell.

Fans were used as a form of communication at court and balls in the 18th Century

"Fans were an important tool for communication, used in society to express a silent language of emotion and etiquette," said Laura Bishop, senior house and collections officer at Dudmaston.

"I encourage everyone to have a go at some 'fan language' when you visit the gallery.

"The different ways you hold and move a fan express a range of emotions to the onlooker."