Fan handle and socket without fan. The handle is covered by "Comanche brick"-style beadwork and has brass threaded socket at fan end. The bead design is mainly symmetrical with a spring green background with maroon, green, white, orange, black, and red with blue and yellow as accent colors. The handle has a two "legged" pendant attached by leather loop with swivel brad. These "legs" are similar to those on beaded bolo ties. The "legs" are covered by "Comanche brick"-style beadwork. The lower ends have leather sockets with horsehair dyed purple and the upper end at the leather loop is held closed by a beadwork band in white, green, maroon, green rocaille, and black beads.

This fan handle may have been made from a rifle cleaning rod. The top of the handle twists off from the fan to make it smaller.

Tags: fan, handle, beadwork, green
People: Comanche
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial use

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology