Nakajima Kaho (Kyoto, 1866 - after 1925, Kyoto)
Folding Fan: Balloon Flowers and Carnations with Butterflies, late 19th century
Paper with bamboo ribs, 33.3 x 63.5 cm (13 1/8 x 25 in.)
Japanese folding fan with a paper leaf and bamboo ribs. The bottom third of this flared fan is painted black and the remainder of the fan has dark beige-colored paper attached to the ribs. A large, bright pink flower has been painted in the center of the paper with indistinct edges and small white scattered flecks in the middle. A small pink flower is on to the right. A few loosely-painted light-green leaves surround the large flower and two butterflies in shades of white-grey soar in the upper right. A third, beige-white butterfly sits on the small flower to the right. Attached to the ribs with a metal loop is a green braid with a deep pink tassel at the end.
Vatichino
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.