This French fan is made of silk gauze and sequins with ivory ribs. The sequins form flowers and bunches of grapes along the outer edge of the pale blue fan, and then cascade down to the exposed section of ivory ribs. The ribs are carved with featherwork and gold circles at the top where they meet the silk. The guard Has the same featherwork pattern as the shorter ribs, and three sections of circular gold-colored metal decorations in between the featherwork.
French
Folding Fan,
early 19th century
Silk gauze and sequins with ivory ribs
,
7.9 cm (3 1/8 in.)
Object details
Accession number
U33w123
Primary Creator
French
Full title
Folding Fan
Creation Date
early 19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Dimensions
7.9 cm (3 1/8 in.)
Display Media
Silk gauze and sequins with ivory ribs
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Vatichino
Bibliography
Ellen Dennis. "A Note on the Fans in the Collection." Fenway Court (1984), pp. 45, cover, ill. (as French, dated early 19th century)
Rights and reproductions
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Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.