Rosemary Cathcart Antique Lace and Vintage Fashion: Antique Irish Lace Fans

Antique Irish Lace Fans From
The Sheelin Museum Lace Collection

Fans this shape originated in the 16th century
and when you think of it, what better way to
show off a fabulous work of art such as a lace
panel. Fans were mounted with many different
types of lace. All the fans below are Irish lace
and can be seen on display at the Sheelin Lace
Museum and Shop. As with most hand made
lace items, lace fans were usually owned and
carried by the rich, and became quite a status
symbol. Fans were often given as presents for
weddings and other important occasions and
would sometimes have guilded sticks which
also had initials worked in gold, silver and
diamonds

Carrickmacross Applique Lace Fan
Mother Of Pearl Sticks Circa 1900

Carrickmacross Applique Lace Fan
With Bone Sticks
Circa 1900

Carrickmacross Applique Lace Fan
With Mother Of Pearl Sticks
Circa 1900

Carrickmacross Applique & Guipure Lace Fan
With Mother Of Pearl Sticks
The pattern for this fan can be seen in
Nellie O Cleirigh's book
'Carrickmacross Lace' page 15
Designed by Alice Jacob Circa 1900