Fan
Date1750-1770
MediumPaper (Leaf); Ivory (Sticks and Guards); Paint; Gilt Paint; Micah (Guard Backing); Glass, Foil, and Metal Rivet (Hinge)
DimensionsLength: 10 1/4; Width: 19
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1986-48
DescriptionFolding fan with carved and pierced ivory sticks and guards. Painted on the mount is a classical scene of Diana the Huntress. She is shown with five attendants and a dog at a woodland pool. Three of the attendents surround her at the pool while the other two are facing away in the background beckoning or waving to someone out of view. Diana's quiver with arrows and a spear are in the right foreground. The scene is surrounded by floral sprays with gilt paint accents. The sticks are carved with scroll work and floral motifs. Carved into the center six sticks is a scene of four oriental men seated at a table within a carved medallion. The sticks bordering the center medallion are carved with flowers in a vase beneath carved, geometric screens. The next motif is a smaller medallion bordering an oriental figure seated in a boat surrounded by flowers and vines. The guards are carved with scrolling and geometric designs around small flowers in an urn. Over the leaf, the guards are carved with scrollwork, flowers, and an addditional oriental figure. Gold accents are painted on the carved designs. The rivet has ruby colored pastes. The reverse of the fan is a stylised landscape scene with earthen cliffs and lare, scrolling foliage accented with gilt paint.Construction History:
1. 1750-1770: Initially Constructed
2. Unknown Date: At least one of the sticks was removed from the left-hand side of the fan, making the medallion with the figure in a boat incomplete at that portion. The leaf has seemingly been shortened to correspond with the lesser width.
