Pleated fan
late 18th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Anonymous Donor
Accession Number
1952-161-204
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Pleated Fan, Late 18th Century This elegant pleated fan, dating to the late 18th century, a delicate example of period costume and accessories from the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Donated anonymously, it exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of everyday luxury items during the Georgian era. Though research on this specific piece is ongoing,ated fans like this were ingeniously designed for both practicality and flair—folding neatly into a compact form while unfolding to reveal intricate pleats that caught the eye. In the late 1700s, fans were essential accessories for wome...
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...