Brisé fan with three painted reserves

late 18th century

Not on view

Composed only of sticks of ivory- a type of fan called "brisé"- this example holds our attention because of its blend of color, texture and different materials. The fine decoration of the ivory creates a lace-like effect; imitating pricier Chinese imports (like The Met's 65.80.13), its drilled technique reveals that this was made in Britain. Three painted medallions, representing the Roman goddesses Venus and Ceres flanking a central lady and children in a landscape, all imitate the popular style of Swiss painter Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807). Variety is cleverly achieved by inlays of enamel studs and gilding. On the outer sticks are two tiny blue and white jasperware plaques, representing Hope and Hercules; these were perhaps sourced from the famous and successful English porcelain manufactory founded some decades earlier by Josiah Wedgwood.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Brisé fan with three painted reserves
Date: late 18th century
Culture: British
Medium: Pierced, painted and gilded ivory; jasperware; enameled metal; glass
Dimensions: confirmed: 10 in. × 16 1/2 in. × 1 3/4 in. (25.4 × 41.9 × 4.4 cm)
Classification: Fans
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, 1965
Object Number: 65.80.14
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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