A fan is shown open upwards, unfurling approximately sixty degrees, to where the image depicted on its folds is legible. The light-brown bamboo sticks of its frame are visible only in the bottom third of the fan. They connect in a riveted hinge at the bottom of the object. On the fan, depicted on a muted green-gray background, we see to our right a vertical tree branch adorned with white-petaled cherry-like blossoms and dark green leaves. A long, crooked offshoot projects to our left, acting as a perch for a small bird. The crown of the bird’s head is colored in light gray-blue, while a long, dark stripe running along its side, from its bill to its tail, delineates the white front of its body.
Japanese
Folding Fan: Bird on Branch,
19th century
Watercolor on silk mounted on paper with bamboo ribs
Object details
Accession number
U11cg15
Primary Creator
Japanese
Full title
Folding Fan: Bird on Branch
Creation Date
19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Display Media
Watercolor on silk mounted on paper with bamboo 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.
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
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.