ABANICO Y MANTÓN DE MANILA

This stamp depicts two popular and typical Spanish complements: the hand –held fan and the Manila shawl.

The hand-held fan besides being an complement used to induce airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself has been used throughout history in a more or less secret, unspoken code of messages. This implement transmitted a secret code for communication purposes between people. The fan had its own meaning depending on of its movements. The folding fan first appeared in Spain in the XVI century and soon began to be imported from Italy and France in such a number that King Charles II limited their importation in 1679. In the XVIII century there were a large number of specialized craftsmen and the city of Valencia became the main manufacturer. In 1802, the Royal Fan Manufacturer was established in this city. The Manila shawl is an accessory for dresses and originally came from China. It was introduced into Manila, a former Spanish colony in the XVI century. It is made of silk and richly embroidered and was introduced by Spanish merchants into the American colonies of Mexico, Guatemala and Peru and from there it’s use expanded to the United States. A century later it became very popular in Spain and was used as a complement and as a way of keeping warm. From our country, its use was extended throughout Europe. Initially Chinese motifs were embroidered in Manila shawls but when they were introduced in Spain, these motifs began to depict autochthonous Spanish flora. This elegant garment, with its long fringes is nowadays worn on special occasions and solemn events.