Fan
Date: Circa 1920
Medium: Paper; wood; paint
Classification: Costume & Textiles
Object number: 1972.58
Label text:This fan was bought as a souvenir at The Holborn Restaurant, London England. The restuarant stood on the corner of London's High Holborn and Kingsway. It opened in 1874 and was billed as adding "a spice of poetry to the dull prose of everyday life". It was comprised of several dining rooms.
The British Chess Federation was founded in the restaurant in 1904 and during the 1908 London Olympics, it hosted banquets for participating athletes. The restaurant was also very popular for Masonic meeting, a Masonic Hall being above the restaurant, and the premise contained a specially built Masonic temple.
The Holborn restaurant was closed in 1954 and was demolished in 1955. It is currently office buildings and a Sainsbury's Supermarket.
DescriptionFolding hand fan; painted parchment leaf; floral design in gold and purple on leaves; wooden sticks; 'The Holborn Restaurant, London' written on guard'.