Fan
Artist/Culture
Chinese
Date19th Century
Mediumcarved sandalwood
Dimensions26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineBequest of Miss Lucy W. Burr
Terms
Object number1924.182
DescriptionCarved sandal wood, 21 sticks. Design on both sides in very low releif, figures and foliage. No marks.Label TextThis sandalwood fan was crafted with twenty-one individual sticks connected by a delicate blue ribbon. The fan preserves a tassel of green and red threads hung on a loop attached to the handle of the fan. The tassel could be part of the design by the fan maker, but it was also possible that the owner of the fan added it after purchasing it. One could easily change it to a different tassel whose colors and styles match one’s particular outfit. The carving technique on this fan employs low relief carving. Relief carving is a customary practice on sandalwood objects such as screens, boxes, decorative plaques and brush pots. On the guards of this fan, which are made of thicker pieces of sandalwood, a pavilion is carved on the top, two figures are portrayed next to the pavilion, and two more figures are portrayed in the lower section. Various flower and plant designs weave through the whole composition. On the other wood sticks, designs of pavilions as well as of a person sitting in a boat are carved and repeated. Like garden scenes, boating and fishing scenes were considered as appropriate leisure activities of Chinese educated men. Hence, artisans incorporated such motifs on fans to satisfy foreign buyers’ pursuit for exotic taste.
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