This Pankha (fan), of Indian (Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh area) or Burmese origin, is a hand fan that was used in India and other southeastern Asian countries. Originally, this piece had pleated fabric along its edge. The fan is decorated with six thin fabric lines of light and dark colors, divided by a fine plant fiber rope. It has geometrical designs, and it is probable that all the small circles on the lighter fabric had beads, as seen in the third line. The central figure looks like a small fan with two fabric lines separated by a thicker one, which creates a mesh design on the interior. Five thin ropes, one in the center and two on each side, cross the fan, providing greater stability. The wooden handle, covered in painted paper, has a semicircle relief that simulates a crown decorated with circles and flowers on the upper portion, and small flowers and herbs on the lower portion.
Fan
Fan
India or Myanmar
Periods: 19th – 20th Century
Dimensions: Width 45 cm, height 40 cm; Handle width 19 cm, height 14 cm.
Materials: cloth gold thread and glitter., Plant fiber, Wood