Hand Fan

PeriodCirca 1890

Place MadePossibly France

MediumPainted wood, painted paper, cotton nettng

Dimensions13.63 in. (34.6 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Women's

Credit LineMuseum Collection

Object number2024.512

DescriptionA woman's hand fan of tapered wooden sticks painted silver, with right and left stick guard slightly larged, painted white with silver embossed scrolling. Sticks join with small brass pin, and retains original stamped brass wrist ribbon loop. The fan's panel is of heavy ivory paper, elaborately and colorfully hand painted with four main groups of full-blown irises and butterflies in vivid colors of blue, lavender, pink, silver, gray, and pale green. Each main group features a cutout lined with fine white cotton netting.
Curatorial RemarksThis elegant fan is one of the most elaborately decorated in the collection. The large size, combined with the use of irises, points to its fabrication in the last decade of the 19th century. Irises were a particularly popular motif in clothing and accessories. The Association has several garments in the collection which include iris motifs, most notable the woman's evening gown circa 1890, with beaded irises on the skirt and bodice (see accession number 3271.)

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