Vouwwaaier met dubbel blad van batist waarop met gouache takken appelbloesem zijn geschilderd, op een montuur van gesneden en gedeeltelijk geschilderd parelmoer, voorzien van metalen (zilveren?) monogram M.S. c. 1890s

This folding fan features a double leaf of batiste painted with apple blossom branches in gouache, set on a carved and partly painted mother-of-pearl frame, and possibly dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century. It was made by the widow W. van der Hulst. Fans like this were more than mere accessories; they were enmeshed in social rituals. The fan was a tool of etiquette and a subtle means of communication. Consider how the delicate imagery of apple blossoms, rendered by a woman, might speak to prevailing notions of femininity and domesticity during that era. The use of mother-of-pearl—prized for its iridescence—adds a layer of luxury, reflecting the values of a society that cherished refinement. We might also ponder the artist's identity as a widow, and how her economic and social circumstances shaped her artistic practice. This fan is a whisper from the past, a tangible link to the lives and social norms of women.