Fan with Poetic Verses

Unknown

dated A.H. 1301/1883–84 CE · Wood; painted, gilded, and lacquered · Islamic Art

This rare lacquer fan consists of twenty wooden blades painted with floral and vegetal scrolls and poetic inscriptions. The design is European whereas the construction is related to nineteenth‑century Cantonese fans exported to Europe in quantity. The verses are rhyming couplets by the renowned Persian mystical poet Hafiz. While luxury objects such as this were often exported and thus tailored to the tastes of Europeans, they were also collected by the Iranian elite.

Artist

Unknown

Date

dated A.H. 1301/1883–84 CE

Medium

Wood; painted, gilded, and lacquered

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Moses Lazarus Collection, Gift of Josephine and Sarah Lazarus, in memory of their father, 1888–95