Pleated fan
1778â1793
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the Estate of James Hazen Hyde
Accession Number
1960-1-85
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of late 18th-century fashion with this pleated fan, crafted between 1778 and 1793. Dating from the era of the American Revolution and early Republic, such accessories were essential for women of refinement, serving practical purposes like cooling oneself amid the warmth of crowded social gatherings while doubling as subtle tools for flirtation and through intricate fan language. As part of the Smithsonian American Art's Costume & Accessories collection, this fan highlights the artistry in everyday adornments of the time. Pleated designs allowed for compact folding ...
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...