Pleated fan

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This elegant pleated fan, dating to around 1840, exemplifies-19th-century American accessories from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Crafted as part of the "costume & accessories" category, it reflects the era's refined taste for delicate, functional items that blended utility with ornamentation. Donated through the bequest of Sarah Cooper Hewitt, a collector, the fan awaits further research, inviting us to ponder its story amid ongoing scholarly exploration. In the Victorian period, pleated fans like this one were essential for women, serving practical purposes like cooling ...

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...