Fan

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 18th-century Italian, crafted from delicate parchment painted with vibrant scenes, mother-of-pearl guards, and sparkling glass accents, exemplifies the opulence of European decorative arts. Measuring 20 x 11¼ inches when open, it was both a functional accessory and a canvas for artistic expression, likely depicting fashionable figures of men and women in period attire. Fans like this were indispensable in the courts and salons of Baroque Italy, where they served as tools for modesty, cooling, and subtle social signaling. The combination of materials highlights masterful craftsm...