Fan
Dateca. 1741
OriginEngland
MediumPaper, watercolor, bone, wood, copper alloy
DimensionsLength: 10 3/8"; Width when Open: 17 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1985-109
DescriptionFolding fan with plain, uncarved bone and wooden sticks and a paper leaf with a map depicting the Battle of Carthagena, which occurred in 1741 between England and Spain over control of Spain's rich holdings in the Caribbean. The fan sticks are bone held together with a brass rivet the the bottom. Including the two end guards, there are a total of 21 sticks and ribs. The fan leaf is only decorated on one side in black ink engraving with a watercolor wash on thin white paper. Most of the watercolor pigment has faded so that only some blue in the water and the brown on the ships remaining visible. The map shows ships and fortification in the port of Cartagena, located on the Caribbean sea in present-day Colombia, South America. Surrounding the main conflict at Cartagena are several smaller battles across teh map. Toward the bottom of the fan leaf at Rib 13 is an illustration of a peg-legged sailor. Near the bottom of the fan leaf on Rib 19 is the printed letter 'h' and just to the right of Rip 19 is the printed signature "Spalding".
Label TextThe Battle of Cartagena, which took place in 1741, brought together English and American forces in a battle against Spain over control of Spain's holdings in the Caribbean. In contrast to Porto Bello, the British were unsuccessful at Cartagena, partly due to disease. Cartagena is located on the Caribbean Sea in present-day Colombia, South America.
This fan was one of the many commemorative products made to celebrate the exploits of Admiral Vernon in battles with the Spanish in the early 1740s.
