Open fan, from the Novelties series (N122) issued by Gail & Ax Tobacco to promote Navy Long Cut 1889

This promotional card was issued by Gail & Ax Tobacco. It features a woman holding an open fan. The fan, once a simple instrument for relief, evolved into a complex signifier of status and secrecy, particularly in the refined circles of 18th and 19th-century Europe. Consider how the fan appears in Goya's portraits, a shield and signal of aristocratic power. This small token became a subtle language, a means of conveying coded messages in social settings, each flutter and position imbued with meaning. Here, the open fan hints at openness and accessibility, perhaps used to project an image of the alluring woman. Interestingly, the gesture mirrors ancient depictions of goddesses and noblewomen, their hands held in symbolic postures, echoing across millennia. The act of displaying oneself with an accoutrement like a fan may tap into a collective memory, engaging viewers with the timeless narrative of feminine allure and veiled communication. A silent drama unfolds, connecting past and present, whispering secrets across the ages.