Right up into the 20th century, magnificent fans and gloves were essential accessories in the wardrobe of the European woman. Fans were viewed as a symbol of social status while they also served as a medium of nonverbal communication. And without gloves, the elegant lady of the 19th century was not properly dressed. Today, the fan leads a niche existence in Europe, while gloves have lost much of their former decorative qualities. The exhibition Gripping Diversity! puts these now somewhat neglected accessories firmly in the spotlight, presenting a selection of 70 items that exemplify fan and glove design over several centuries.

In the exhibition, the sartorial and societal significance of fans in Europe is documented and traced via a wide diversity of items from seven centuries

In concert with its presentation of fans, the exhibition Gripping Diversity! will also show exquisite examples of European glove design. Like fans, gloves are not purely utilitarian objects. Beyond simply protecting their wearers from cold, dirt and/or injury, gloves also served throughout many centuries of European history as important instruments of coquetry and as a fashion accessory for the elegant woman. On display will be valuable examples from various eras, including contemporary items such as a glove object by Meret Oppenheim; her object offers a primarily artistic interpretation of this item.

Curator Barbara Karl, MAK Curator Textiles and Carpets