Pleated fan and case
ca. 1895
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Anonymous Donor
Accession Number
1952-161-236-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of late 19th-century fashion with this *Pleated fan and case*, dating to 1895. Crafted as a personal accessory, this delicate item exemplifies the refined costume and accessories popular during America's Gilded Age. Fans like this were essential for women in social settings, serving practical purposes like cooling oneself amid heavy corsets and layers, while also acting as subtle tools for flirtation and communication through intricate gestures. The pleated design—folded silk, paper, or fabric mounted on sticks—allowed for compact storage in its accompanying case, ...
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...