Fan thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Fan

1730-70 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

During the 17th and 18th century many fans were produced in China for the European market. This influx of new designs was digested and transformed by European artists. The intricately carved and pierced sticks on this fan depict figures in European dress. The fan leaf, painted in watercolour, is probably a European copy of a Chinese design and shows Chinese figures in a landscape setting. One of the women depicted is holding a folded paper fan decorated with pink flowers echoing the simple floral design that is painted on the reverse of this fan.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted paper and pierced and carved ivory
Brief description
Fan, paper painted in watercolour with fan sticks and guards of pierced and carved ivory, Britain or France, 1700s; chinoiserie
Physical description
Folding fan. The fan leaf is made of paper painted with watercolour. A chinoiserie landscape and figures are depicted on the obverse and a small floral motif on the reverse. The fan sticks and guards are pierced and carved ivory.
Dimensions
  • Length of guard length: 29cm
  • Width: 49cm (Note: fully open)
  • Weight: 100g
  • Length: 29cm (closed)
  • Width: 2.5cm (closed)
  • Depth: 2cm (closed)
Style
Credit line
Bequeathed by Emily Beauclerk
Subjects depicted
Summary
During the 17th and 18th century many fans were produced in China for the European market. This influx of new designs was digested and transformed by European artists. The intricately carved and pierced sticks on this fan depict figures in European dress. The fan leaf, painted in watercolour, is probably a European copy of a Chinese design and shows Chinese figures in a landscape setting. One of the women depicted is holding a folded paper fan decorated with pink flowers echoing the simple floral design that is painted on the reverse of this fan.
Collection
Accession number
T.138-1920

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Record createdJuly 24, 2006
Record URL
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