Duvelleroy

Duvelleroy is a fan maker and leather goods manufacturer based in Paris, France. The house was founded in 1827 by Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy, and stands today as one of the rare French fan makers still in existence.

History
In 1827, as Paris had no more than fifteen fan-makers, an accessory that had gone out of fashion after the French Revolution. 25-year-old Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy established his own fan house in the city, relying on the demand for fans in South America (primary export market for French fan makers) to help him start his business.

In March 1829, during a ball given by the Duchess of Berry at the Tuileries Palace, the quadrille women sported fans, bringing the fan trend back. The house opened a boutique at 15, rue de la Paix, and its ateliers were established at 17, passage des Panoramas in Paris. The house produced fan sticks and guards from precious wood, horn, mother of pearl, ivory or tortoise shell made by stick makers (or 'tabletiers') traditionally based in the Oise region of France. For the leaves of his fans, he collaborated with artists such as Ingres or Delacroix for exceptional pieces.

In 1851, Duvelleroy was awarded the prize medal at The Crystal Palace. The Duvelleroys father and son were each be president of the Syndicate of Fan-makers, and both received the French Légion d’Honneur. After making a fan representing the Royal Family of England, based on a painting by Winterhalter, Duvelleroy was appointed supplier to Queen Victoria and opened a boutique in London. Soon enough, Duvelleroy fans were sold in all major courts of Europe. In 1853, Duvelleroy made a fan for the wedding of Eugénie de Montijo to Emperor Napoleon III. Later, the house was nominated exclusive supplier of the City of Paris, making the fans given to the wives of foreign sovereigns and dignitaries coming to Paris for official visits, such as the Empress of Russia, the Queen of Sweden, the Queen of Denmark and the Queen of Bulgaria.

Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy gave the London Duvelleroy house to his elder son Jules, born out of wedlock, while he handed over the management of the Paris house to his legitimate son, Georges Duvelleroy.

By duty of memory, Michel Maignan conserved the Duvelleroy Fund which his grandfather passed on to him in 1981. This Fund is made of fans, drawings, tools, materials and furnishings kept since the foundation of the House of Duvelleroy in 1827. "I give it to you so that you can make something out of it", he said. In 1986, an exhibit dedicated to the Fan as a mirror of the Belle Époque was given in Paris: many Duvelleroy fans were exhibited on this occasion. Since then, many publications and exhibits have been developed, referring to Duvelleroy. In 1995, an exhibit in England was entirely dedicated to the House: Duvelleroy, King of Fans, Fanmaker to Kings.

Language of the fan
In London, Jules Duvelleroy published a 'language of the fan' leaflets, a whole code supposedly used by women for centuries. Some of those codes were:
 * "We are watched": Twirl the fan in the left hand
 * "Follow me": Carry the fan in the right hand in front of face
 * "Do not betray our secret": Cover the left ear with the open fan
 * "I hate you": Draw the fan through the hand
 * "I love you": Draw the fan across the cheek
 * "I wish to speak to you": Touch the tip of the fan with the finger
 * "Yes.": Let the fan rest on the right cheek
 * "No": Let the fan rest on the left cheek
 * "You are cruel": Open and shut the fan
 * "We will be friends": Drop the fan
 * "I am married": Fan slowly
 * "I am engaged": Fan rapidly
 * "Kiss me": Bring the handle of the fan to the lip