Fan
1701/25
Medium
Carved with silver foil ivory sticks and guards; painted mount in chinoiserie style; pearl rivet
Dimensions
H.: 26.8 cm (10 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
24363
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fan, dating from around 1701–1725, exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of early 18th-century Europe. Craft with intricately carved ivory sticks and guards adorned in silver foil—likely a delicate damascening technique—the fan features a painted silk gauze mount in the popular chinoiserie style.ocative scenes of imagined Chinese landscapes, figures, and motifs decorate the surface, secured by an elegant pearl rivet. 26.8 cm in height when open, it was both a functional accessory and a of art, perfect for the fashionable hand of a lady at court or in high society. Chinoiserie, ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...