Fan
1779-1790 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The fan was probably purchased as a paper leaf in Italy and mounted on the fan sticks in Britain. The ivory sticks are beautifully carved, and the classical urns on the guardsticks are painted in blue enamel and gold paint.
Subject Depicted
The ivory sticks are carved with scenes from Classical mythology. Apollo and Daphne are represented in the central cartouche, with putti in the smaller compartments.
Places
The Grand Tour was a lengthy trip taken around Europe as part of the cultural education of 18th-century British gentlemen. It has some similarity to the 'gap year' many university students take today to travel the world. Paris and Italy were the most important destinations. But along with Florence and Rome, Naples was also a key stop on the Tour. When visiting the city in 1777,Thomas Pelham wrote to his parents about the sites depicted on this fan:
'I was, the other day, on the top of Vesuvius, highly delighted and astonished as you may easily imagine. The volcano was very quiet, no fire visible and little smoke; the different views of Naples, Pozzuoli, Baia, Capri, etc. etc. are charming and in beauty and extent exceed any view I ever saw.'
The fan was probably purchased as a paper leaf in Italy and mounted on the fan sticks in Britain. The ivory sticks are beautifully carved, and the classical urns on the guardsticks are painted in blue enamel and gold paint.
Subject Depicted
The ivory sticks are carved with scenes from Classical mythology. Apollo and Daphne are represented in the central cartouche, with putti in the smaller compartments.
Places
The Grand Tour was a lengthy trip taken around Europe as part of the cultural education of 18th-century British gentlemen. It has some similarity to the 'gap year' many university students take today to travel the world. Paris and Italy were the most important destinations. But along with Florence and Rome, Naples was also a key stop on the Tour. When visiting the city in 1777,Thomas Pelham wrote to his parents about the sites depicted on this fan:
'I was, the other day, on the top of Vesuvius, highly delighted and astonished as you may easily imagine. The volcano was very quiet, no fire visible and little smoke; the different views of Naples, Pozzuoli, Baia, Capri, etc. etc. are charming and in beauty and extent exceed any view I ever saw.'
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Paper, ivory, glass, watercolours; hand-carved and painted |
| Brief description | 1779-90, souvenir fan leaf from the Bay of Naples; ivory sticks were possibly carved in England |
| Physical description | Fan with carved and pierced ivory sticks, set with glass pastes and a paper leaf. It depicts Italian views and inscriptions including the Grotta del Cane (Cave of Dogs), a view of Pozzuoli and the bridge of Caligula and Vesuvius erupting on the night of 8 August 1779. The reverse shows a framed view of a cottage and a piece of striped ribbon. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The Bay of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius and its numerous ancient Roman remains, was a popular destination for travellers on the Grand Tour. This fan, with sticks in the Neo-classical style, was sold as a souvenir. It shows the eruption of Vesuvius on 8 August 1779, a view of Pozzuoli and the Bridge of Caligula.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Admiral Sir Robert and Lady Prendergast |
| Object history | Fan leaf made in Italy, sticks possibly made in England |
| Summary | Object Type The fan was probably purchased as a paper leaf in Italy and mounted on the fan sticks in Britain. The ivory sticks are beautifully carved, and the classical urns on the guardsticks are painted in blue enamel and gold paint. Subject Depicted The ivory sticks are carved with scenes from Classical mythology. Apollo and Daphne are represented in the central cartouche, with putti in the smaller compartments. Places The Grand Tour was a lengthy trip taken around Europe as part of the cultural education of 18th-century British gentlemen. It has some similarity to the 'gap year' many university students take today to travel the world. Paris and Italy were the most important destinations. But along with Florence and Rome, Naples was also a key stop on the Tour. When visiting the city in 1777,Thomas Pelham wrote to his parents about the sites depicted on this fan: 'I was, the other day, on the top of Vesuvius, highly delighted and astonished as you may easily imagine. The volcano was very quiet, no fire visible and little smoke; the different views of Naples, Pozzuoli, Baia, Capri, etc. etc. are charming and in beauty and extent exceed any view I ever saw.' |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.88-1956 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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