Fan Brisé
1870-1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Brisé fans have no leaf. They are made of sticks held together with a silk cord or ribbon. This fan is made of wood fretted into the shape of snowdrops and violets, and is brightly painted. It is possible that it was originally intended as a love gift because of the symbolism of the flowers depicted on the fan. In the Language of Flowers popular in the 19th Century violets stood for faithfulness and modesty. Lily of the valley is much used in bridal arrangements for their sweet perfume and is traditionally associated with May 1st, especially in France where it is handed out at special events.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Fretted and painted wood, ribbon and brass |
| Brief description | Wooden fan brisé, Switzerland, 1870-1880. |
| Physical description | Wooden fan brisé with each stick fretted into fronds of purple violets and snow drops brightly painted. The guard sticks are of plain stained wood. The sticks fan out attached to each other at the top by a ribbon that threads through each frond. There is a brass carrying loop. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Maison alph.Giroux' (Written in black ink, on the reverse of one of the guard sticks.) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs C Alexander |
| Summary | Brisé fans have no leaf. They are made of sticks held together with a silk cord or ribbon. This fan is made of wood fretted into the shape of snowdrops and violets, and is brightly painted. It is possible that it was originally intended as a love gift because of the symbolism of the flowers depicted on the fan. In the Language of Flowers popular in the 19th Century violets stood for faithfulness and modesty. Lily of the valley is much used in bridal arrangements for their sweet perfume and is traditionally associated with May 1st, especially in France where it is handed out at special events. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.233-1973 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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