Vouwwaaier met blad van Duchesse kant, met margrieten en geschulpte rand, op een ajourmontuur van ivoor, voorzien van metalen waaierring

About this artwork

geheel: spanwijdte 48 cm x lengte 27 cm

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folding fan, titled *Vouwwaaier met blad van Duchesse*, hails from the School voornijverheid, a institution dedicated to applied arts around 1914. Measuring approximately 48 cm in span and 27 cm length when open, it features a delicate leaf of Duchesse lace with marguerites (daisies) and a scalloped edge. lace is mounted on an intricately carved ajour (openwork) ivory frame, secured by a metal fan ring, showcasing the era's blend of craftsmanship and ornamental elegance. Duchesse lace, a luxurious bobbin and needle lace technique originating in Brussels, was prized for its dense yet airy patterns and fine threads, often reserved for high-society accessories. Here, the floral motifs and undulating edges reflect Art Nouveau influences lingering into the early 20th century, just before World War I shifted artistic priorities toward modernism. Produced by a school emphasizing Kunstnijverheid (arts and crafts), the fan embodies the movement's ethos of beauty in everyday luxury objects, bridging traditional lacemaking with innovative materials like ivory. As a cultural artifact, this fan highlights women's fashion and social rituals of the Belle Époque, where such items served both practical and flirtatious purposes at balls and gatherings. Its preservation offers a glimpse into pre-war opulence and the skilled hands behind Dutch decorative arts.