Pictured above: Shugborough Operations Officer Michelle
Oskoui
The exquisite artefact is the most fragile item to be exhibited
as part of the estate's Object of the Month scheme. The 2009 Object
of the Month initiative sees rare pieces from Shugborough's archive
collection - which have never been on public display before -
exhibited within the Mansion house's state rooms.
The fan is believed to have been painted by Elizabeth
(1822-1860), wife to Admiral George Anson Shugborough and is at
least 250 years old. Her husband captured the largest booty of
foreign treasure ever to be won for a King of England and it is
from the rewards of this haul, that the Shugborough we see today
was built.
The tortoiseshell fan is so delicate it has never been on public
display before and it will be carefully packaged away at the end of
this month in order to protect it. Because the fragile object has
been well kept in storage, the finely painted colours are still
very bright and particularly eye-catching.
Tortoiseshell was primarily made from the shell of the Hawksbill
turtle and was a highly prized material at the time this fan was
made. The Hawksbill Turtle is now a critically endangered species
and the trade of tortoiseshell material was stopped in 1973 as a
result.
Fans were an essential fashion accessory for women during the
16th, 17th and 18th centuries in Britain and had their own strict
etiquette and language. A woman holding a closed fan could touch
the tip to her right cheek to indicate the word: "yes", and to her
left cheek to convey: "no". Similarly, if the fan was held open
partially covering the eyes, it conveyed the message: "I love you",
while lowered until pointing at the ground, the opposite message of
'I despise you', was communicated .
Corinne Caddy of Shugborough said: "This artefact is truly
beautiful and is not only a real hidden gem but must be one of
Staffordshire' most unique treasures. To bring it out on public
display is a exceptional opportunity and we are hoping plenty of
people come to admire it in the short time it is available to
view."
The fan is the second Object of the Month which displays the
artistic talents of Shugborough ladies after two sketches by Ann
Margaret Anson, wife to the first Viscount, were put on display
during July. Ann Margaret was trained by renowned English artist
Gainsborough and had her work exhibited in a Royal Academy
exhibition in 1799.
Shugborough is open daily from 11am until 5pm. The Object of the
Month display is just one of many new 2009 highlights, including a
new Patrick Lichfield Exhibition (recommended by The Sunday Times)
and an exciting programme of events and daily activities. To find
out more about what's on visit www.shugborough.org.uk or telephone
the ticket booking line on 0845 459 8900.