Fan

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folding fan, created in France during the first half of the nineteenth century, reflects the refined elegance of European decorative arts in the Romantic era. Fashioned from delicate paper leaves mounted on intricately carved sticks of ivory, tortoiseshell, and mother-of-pearl, the piece is further enriched with gilt detailing and sparkling paillettes that catch the light with every movement. Such luxurious materials highlight the exceptional skill of French fan makers, who combined functionality with opulent ornamentation to create objects of both utility and beauty. In the 18...