Brisé fan

Unknown

1875–89 · tortoiseshell, silk, plastic · Costume Institute

This is a classic example of a brisé fan, which is constructed of individual sticks held together with connecting ribbon or threads at the top. There is no leaf. The tortoiseshall pattern presents a strikiing visual effect when held to the light and moved back and forth. A special touch is the elaborate monogram on the guard.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1875–89

Medium

tortoiseshell, silk, plastic

Culture

probably French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Josephine Nembach, 1958