A Study on the Fans appeared in the Western Costume Culture - Focusing on 16~18 century -

서양복식문화에 나타난 부채에 관한 연구 - 16~18세기를 중심으로 -

There are practicality, ornamentality and symbolic in a folding fan among Western accessories, and that is a little tool to enhance the overall harmony of a dress. The purpose of this study was to examine Western folding fans in an effort to shed light on the history, culture, fashion and life of different ages in which folding fans had been used. It's specifically meant to look into the mentality of people who had used folding fans. The meaning and function of folding fans were investigated, and their diverse types and characteristics were analyzed. As a result, it's found that in the West, a folding fan was one of major accessories that had an inseparable relation to popular clothes in each age and were necessary for a perfect coordination. Folding fans had been used as ornaments for Western noble women since the 16th century. After a certain period of time passed by, the 18th century became the heyday of folding fans. At that time, folding fans were one of aesthetic art works that even served as a means of mental exchange.