Rabari Hand Held Fan with Ganesha & Eight Mirrors
14" High x 14" Wide
This antique hand held fan was hand made by the  nomadic Rabari tribe of the Kutch desert.  It is meticulously beaded with the tiniest beads of various sizes, clearly all hand made... very labor intensive.  The motifs they use, colors and images can be read like a book to tell you where she came from & things that have happened in her life. It is a language in beading.
Mirrors, Shisha, represent protection The reflectiveness of the mirrors is considered  to be a shield as well as a way to deflect the evil eye which is believed to bring misfortune & infertility.  Mirrors also are belived to bring  light into darkness , a reminder of their ancient solor worship.
The Tree of LIfe  connects us to the three worlds, writes Jasleen Dhamija, of the tree that both soars upward and plunges deep down while standing erect on the ground.  The Tree of Life concept is sacred to most cultures. Its significance transcends conscious reality, touching the subconscious and beyond the undefinable.
In the center is Lord Ganesha is one of the most loved deity all over india. He is the first deity to be worshiped as he can remove all obstacles. He is the patron of arts, crafts and sculptures. He is also considered as lord of astrology, action and god of harvest.
 The four leave image may be a clover or flower but represents Hope, Love,Faith & Luck.
This large fan has seen extensive use over the years with a few places of disrepair & tarnished mirrors.  One of the eight mirrors is missing.
Hand Made in Gujarat, India