Pleated fan and case
late 19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Robert B. Noyes
Accession Number
1942-34-6-a,b
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Pleated Fan and Case Step into the elegant world of late 19-century fashion with this charming pleated fan and its accompanying case, a delicate accessory from the Smithsonian American Art's collection of costumes and accessories. Dating to the Victorian era's final decades, such fans were indispensable for women in polite society, serving practical purposes like cooling oneself during stifling summer balls or crowded parlors while doubling as subtle tools for flirtation and social signaling through intricate fan language. The pleating technique—folding thin material into precise, radiating segments—allowed the fan to collapse neatly into its protective case, making it a portable emblem of refinement. Though the artist and exact medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, these objects highlight the artistry in everyday adornments of the Gilded Age, where accessories reflected social status and craftsmanship. Gifted by Mrs. Robert B. Noyes, this piece invites us to ponder the hidden stories of the hands that held it. As curators continue their research, the fan reminds us how museum treasures like this bridge personal histories with broader cultural narratives, preserving the whispers of a bygone era's grace. (178 words)
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...