Fan Museum

Fan Museum Review

An arcane but frequently alluring marriage between art and function, the simple fan is more than a mere fashion accessory; historically, fans can tell as much about fashion and social mores as they can about craftsmanship. There are 2,000 of them here, dating from the 17th century onward, often exquisitely crafted from ivory, mother-of-pearl, and tortoiseshell. It was the personal vision—and collection—of Helene Alexander that brought this enchanting museum into being, and the workshop and conservation-study center that she has also set up ensure that this art form continnues to have a future. If your interest is really piqued, you can attend fan-making workshops (on the first Saturday of every month only—£20 for the afternoon; call ahead or visit the Web site for booking details). Afternoon tea is served in the café on Tuesday and Sunday at 3 pm.