Fan

Art Historical Context

This elegant fan, crafted in the third quarter of the th century—likely during the 1770s in France—exemplifies the refined decorative arts of the Rococo era's twilight. Made from delicate ivory guards and a paper leaf, it measures 10½ x 17½ inches when fully opened, a size ideal for both practicality and display. Such fans were more than mere accessories; they were status symbols for European women of fashion, doubling as subtle tools for flirtation through a codified "language of the fan" and showcases for exquisite handiwork. The combination of ivory, prized for its smooth carving potential...