Fan

Art Historical Context

This elegant 18th-century French fan, from delicate paper, finely carved ivory, and shimmering glass elements, exemplifies the exquisite decorative arts of its era. Measuring 9 3/4 x 18 inches when fully opened, it features the characteristic folding design typical of period fans, with ivory likely forming the sturdy guards and sticks, while the paper leaf would have been hand-painted or adorned for visual appeal. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, it was generously gifted by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst in 1963, highlighting its place among elite collector's treasures. In Rococo-era France, fans were far more than functional accessories for cooling or shielding from the sun; they served as fashionable statements for both men and women in aristocratic social circles. Often carried at Versailles or Parisian salons, these objects conveyed status through luxurious materials like ivory—prized for its smooth carvability—and glass accents that caught the light. The dual-gender tags reflect their versatility, as men used simpler versions for dueling or theater, while women's fans doubled as subtle tools for flirtation via a coded "language of the fan." This anonymous masterpiece invites us to imagine the whispers and glances of 18th-century high society, preserving a slice of everyday elegance in the grand sweep of history.