Fan

Unknown

third quarter 18th century · ivory, parchment, gouache, metal · Costume Institute

The pierced decoration of the sticks on this fan is unusually detailed, refined and complex. They were undoubtedly imported from China, where techniques for fine ivory carving had been practiced for centuries. The scenes of affectionate family life have a particular intimacy when depicted on a personal accessory. The still life imagery on the reverse leaf evokes Dutch still life paintings.

Artist

Unknown

Date

third quarter 18th century

Medium

ivory, parchment, gouache, metal

Culture

probably Dutch

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of George Arents in memory of Annie Walter Arents, 1949