Pleated fan
late 17thâmid- 18th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1955-46-1
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Pleated Fan (Late 17th–Mid-18th Century) into the elegant world of 17th- and 18th-century fashion with this delicate pleated fan, a example of costume and accessories from the Smithsonian American Museum's collection. Crafted by an unknown artist during a time when fans were essential accessories for both men and women, this piece exemplifies the intricate craftsmanship of the period. Pleated fans, with their folding structure of sticks and a mounted leaf, allowed for portability and flair, transforming a simple tool for cooling into a statement of style and social grace. In the late Ba...
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...