Folding Cabriolet Fan with Scene of Figures in a Courtyard Garden
Unknown Artist
late 18th–early 19th century
Medium
Paper, ivory
Classification
Fans
Culture
Chinese, for the European Market
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Moses Lazarus Collection, Gift of Josephine and Sarah Lazarus, in memory of their father, 1888-95
Accession Number
90.2.66
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folding cabriolet fan, crafted in the late 18th to early 19th century, showcases a delicate scene of men and women gathered in a lush courtyard garden. Made of paper mounted on ivory guards—a luxurious combination typical of high-end fans—the artwork exemplifies fine Chinese export artistry tailored for European tastes. The cabriolet style, with its gracefully curved top resembling an open carriage, allowed the fan to fold compactly while serving as both a practical accessory and a portable painting. Produced during a peak era of Sino-European trade, this fan reflects the vibra...