item details
NameFolding fan
ProductionUnknown; circa 1750; France
Classificationfans, works on paper
Materialswatercolour, gold leaf, mother of pearl, brass
Materials Summarywatercolour on paper, gilt, mother of pearl, brass
DimensionsOverall: 520mm (width), 310mm (height)
Registration Number1938-0003-3
Credit lineGift of Mr and Mrs Ernest Makower, 1938
Overview
Highly skilled fan-makers used exotic materials such as tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and gold. Designs could be elaborate and commonly depicted scenes of religious allegory or love and courtship.
Fans were at their most popular during the reign of King Louis XV of France (1715–74). But, despite their value, they swiftly became obsolete when fashions changed.