Brisé fan with depiction of allegorical figure of Music

Giovanni Battista Cipriani|Francesco Bartolozzi

last quarter 18th century · Pierced, gilded, and painted ivory; painted paper; printed and painted silk ribbon; glass · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This prettily decorated fan exemplifies the more affordable, British-made response to exquisitely fine, and considerably more expensive, hand-carved ivory fans imported from China (such as The Met's fan, 65.80.13). In this example, the ivory has been drilled to achieve its lace-like patterning. The pictorial medallions, likewise, are rather less pricy: not painted on, but instead a colored engraving pasted in place.

Artist

Giovanni Battista Cipriani|Francesco Bartolozzi

Date

last quarter 18th century

Medium

Pierced, gilded, and painted ivory; painted paper; printed and painted silk ribbon; glass

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Mary Strong Shattuck, 1935