Fan

Art Historical Context

This elegant 18th-century French fan, from delicate paper, finely carved ivory, and shimmering glass elements, exemplifies the exquisite decorative arts of its era. Measuring 9 3/4 x 18 inches when fully opened, it features the characteristic folding design typical of period fans, with ivory likely forming the sturdy guards and sticks, while the paper leaf would have been hand-painted or adorned for visual appeal. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, it was generously gifted by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst in 1963, highlighting its pl...