Folding fan
A cool breeze on a warm day, and a piece of Dutch art in your hand: that is what our Dutch folding fans are all about. Choose a cheerful tulip fan, a Delft Blue design or a fan featuring a famous painting, such as Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers and Almond Blossom or Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. A hand fan is light, fits in any bag and prices start at well under ten euros. It is a souvenir you will not just keep, but actually use.
Buy a Dutch folding fan: art you can take anywhere
The folding fan has a longer history in the Netherlands than you might expect. During the Dutch Golden Age, ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) brought painted fans back from China and Japan. They soon became a fashionable accessory among wealthy Amsterdam families, and in portraits from the period you will often see ladies posing with a fan in hand. It was a sign of taste, prosperity and connections with faraway lands.
That link with Japan remained special: for more than two centuries, the Dutch were the only Western nation allowed to trade with Japan, from the small island of Dejima. Much later, Vincent van Gogh was deeply inspired by Japanese art. He collected hundreds of Japanese woodblock prints, and you can see their influence in the bright colours and bold lines of his work. A fan featuring Van Gogh's Almond Blossom or The Starry Night brings the story full circle: Dutch art on an object with Asian roots.
De Holland Winkel has been selling Dutch souvenirs since 2002. In this category you will find all our hand fans in one place, from simple tulip fans to fans featuring masterpieces from the great Dutch museums.
Which folding fans can you choose from?
Tulip fans
What could be more Dutch than a tulip? Choose a black or white fan with colourful tulips, or a fan with blue tulips in a Delft Blue style. Affordable, cheerful and ideal when you want to treat several people at once.
Van Gogh fans
Our largest selection is devoted to Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers, The Starry Night, Almond Blossom, Café Terrace at Night, The Sower and his still lifes with flowers. Perfect for anyone who has visited the Van Gogh Museum, or is planning to.
Golden Age and Delft Blue
Fans featuring Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, the tulips of Maria Sibylla Merian and a Delft Blue bird from the Rijksmuseum collection. Classic, elegant and unmistakably Dutch.
Art from beyond the Netherlands
Famous works from further afield also feature in this collection, such as Hokusai's The Great Wave, Monet's Water Lilies and Gustav Klimt's portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. A lovely addition for the true art lover.
A souvenir you will actually use
Many souvenirs end up in a cupboard. A fan does not. You take it to a café terrace, a concert, a festival or a crowded train on a summer's day. Folded up, a fan is small and light, so it slips easily into your handbag, your suitcase or a parcel for friends and family abroad.
- ✓For art lovers: a masterpiece by Van Gogh or Vermeer that you can carry with you wherever you go.
- ✓For travellers: a light, colourful keepsake of your visit to the Netherlands that will not weigh down your luggage.
- ✓For weddings and parties: an original favour for guests on a warm summer's day.
- ✓As decoration: opened up on the wall or in a frame, a fan makes a charming little work of art.
Frequently asked questions about folding fans
Can I have a fan shipped abroad? +
Yes. We ship our souvenirs within the Netherlands and worldwide. A fan is light and flat, which makes it one of the easiest gifts to send to friends or family overseas. See our shipping costs page for all destinations.
Can I order fans in larger quantities, for example for a wedding or event? +
Certainly. Fans are a popular favour for wedding guests and a thoughtful corporate gift for international visitors. Visit our B2B page or email info@hollandwinkel.nl.
How should I look after my fan? +
Store your fan folded in a dry place. Open and close it gently along the existing folds to keep the frame and the fabric or paper in good shape. If you hang it up as decoration, choose a spot out of direct sunlight so the colours stay bright for longer.
Can I add a personal message? +
Yes, we will include a card with your personal message free of charge. Would you like your gift beautifully wrapped? Choose one of our gift wrapping options.
Discover more Dutch art and souvenirs
Found your favourite fan? Our online shop offers thousands of Dutch souvenirs and gifts. Why not pair your fan with a scarf in the same Van Gogh style, a piece of Delft Blue jewellery or another museum souvenir?