Fan
1670-1720 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This fan is decorated with a classical scene, and may depict the meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra, though given the storm clouds and setting it could equally represent the meeting of another doomed couple from classical literature: Dido and Aeneas. The scene is painted using the rich colours and composition associated with the Baroque style. Classical references are made in the representation of costume, for example the strapped sandals of the women and the armour worn by the male figures. The figures are lively and expressive, and the composition of the scene is engaging, and full of incident and interest. The fan maker has decorated the lower halves of the sticks with silver piqué work, setting patterns of tiny silver nails or dots into the ivory. Mother of pearl has also been used in the decoration. The reverse of the fan leaf is painted with flowers.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Watercolour on paper, ivory with silver piqué work, mother of pearl |
Brief description | classical scene painted in watercolour on paper, sticks of ivory with silver piqué work and mother of pearl, Netherlands, 1670-1720 |
Physical description | Fan decorated with a classical scene in the Baroque style, possibly the meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra or Dido and Aeneas. The sticks are decorated with silver piqué work on ivory, and mother of pearl. The reverse of the fan leaf is painted with flowers. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Bequeathed by Emily Beauclerk |
Summary | This fan is decorated with a classical scene, and may depict the meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra, though given the storm clouds and setting it could equally represent the meeting of another doomed couple from classical literature: Dido and Aeneas. The scene is painted using the rich colours and composition associated with the Baroque style. Classical references are made in the representation of costume, for example the strapped sandals of the women and the armour worn by the male figures. The figures are lively and expressive, and the composition of the scene is engaging, and full of incident and interest. The fan maker has decorated the lower halves of the sticks with silver piqué work, setting patterns of tiny silver nails or dots into the ivory. Mother of pearl has also been used in the decoration. The reverse of the fan leaf is painted with flowers. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.177-1920 |
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Record created | July 24, 2006 |
Record URL |
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