Brisé fan, with representations of classical figures flanking Venus and Cupid

Angelica Kauffmann

ca. 1795 - 1800 · PIerced, carved, gilded and painted ivory; painted paper; metal · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This brisé fan- composed purely of ivory sticks- is a very fine example of Chinese carving. Particularly sought-after in Europe, beautifully worked ivory mounts were sent from China with blank medallions, which could be customized with painted vignettes once they arrived in Europe. This example has been painted, to a very high quality, with a central figure group of Venus and Cupid- amended from a design first developed by Swiss painter Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807)- flanked by flower-bearing nymphs. The painted paper ribbon which further embellishes the fan is original.

Artist

Angelica Kauffmann

Date

ca. 1795 - 1800

Medium

PIerced, carved, gilded and painted ivory; painted paper; metal

Culture

Chinese, for British market

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, 1965