Fan
Date1770
MediumBamboo (Sticks and Guards), Paper (Mount), Watercolor, Silver pigment, Silk Ribbon (Mount Edging).
DimensionsLength: 11 1/2; Width (when Open): 22 1/2
Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford
Object number1980-238,1
DescriptionFolding fan with dark bamboo carved and pierced sticks and painted paper mount. Mount features a landscape with rocks, plum tree, and miscellaneous plants. Three figures in Asian dress (an emperor or ruler greeting a man and a boy) are positioned to left of center. The scene is worked in silver-white pigment on brownish-color ground, giving the appearance of grisaille. Back of fan is not decorated. The mount corner at the left guard stick has the name "Anna Clifford 1770" penned in.InscribedThe mount corner at the left guard stick has the name "Anna Clifford 1770" penned in.
ProvenanceThe fan was owned by Anna Clifford (1755-1812), whose name is written in ink on the fan leaf. Anna married Jacob Giles, Jr. at the Market Street Meeting House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1773.
