Fan
Datec.1775-1785
OriginEurope, France
MediumPaper (Mount); Ivory (Sticks); Paint; Gold Gilt Paint; Gold Gilt Leaf (Inlaid on Sticks); Micah (Backing at Fan Guard); Pink and Blue Foil (Backing at Fan Guard); Brass (Hinge)
DimensionsLength: 10 3/4"; Width (when Open): 19 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1953-1041
DescriptionFan with a paper mount and pierced ivory sticks and guards. The leaf depicts a painted pastoral scene with figured in eighteenth century clothing. The central figures are a woman in a pink gown on a swing being operated by a man seated behind her in a blue coat and orange breeches. To the right of the duo, across a small stream, another woman in a polonaise-style gown looks on. Seated at the far left near a body of water is a second man in a green coat and blue breeches, holding a stick and sleeping. The scene is surrounded by flower sprays and garlands with scroll work in gold gilt paint. The reverse is decorated with a narrow border of vines and small red flowers. Fan gaurds and sticks pierced and inlaid with "four color" gold in designs of vines and flowers. Also depicted are small musical instruments near the center of the sticks. The guards are embellished with a small string instrument at the base of the mout and a leafy garland winding up a long pole to the top of the guard where two sun-burst patterns are pierced. Surrounding the garland and pole are two small flying insects.
Construction history:
1. 1775-1785: Fan initially constructed
2. At some point after its initial constructio it is likely that the paper edge at the top border was added.
3. Repairs and patches were added after its initial construction, most notably at the bottom right corner of the front face of the fan and the bottom right corner of the back of the fan. After the patch at the back was added, someone attempted to recreate the vine pattern it covered with a different ink.
