Fan
Unknown Artist
1860–69
Medium
Mother-of-pearl, paper, metal, metallic
Classification
Fan
Culture
European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of George Arents in memory of Annie Walter Arents, 1949
Accession Number
2009.300.4582
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fan, crafted in Europe between 1860 and 1869, exemplifies the opulent accessories of the Victorian era. Made from shimmering mother-of-pearl for the delicate sticks and mounts, layered with painted paper leaves, and accented by metal and metallic elements, it reflects the era's fascination with luxurious, tactile materials. Mother-of-pearl, sourced from seashells and prized for its iridescent glow, was a hallmark of high-end craftsmanship, signaling wealth and refinement among the fashionable elite. In the 19th century, fans were far more than functional tools for cooling or sh...