Brisé fan
ca. 1830
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane
Accession Number
1926-37-243
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 19th-century fashion with this exquisite *Brisé fan*, dating to around 1830. Named for the French term "brisée" meaning "broken," this type of fan features articulated sticks—often crafted from ivory, bone, wood—that pivot independently, creating a dynamic, leaf-like spread. As a cherished accessory in the Smithsonian American Museum's Costume & Accessories collection, it the refined craftsmanship of the early Victorian era, when fans were both practical tools for cooling and subtle instruments of social expression. In the 1830s, amid America's growing fascinati...
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...