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Fan
Indian
19th or early 20th century
Object Place: India
Medium/Technique
Cuscus grass, cotton plain-weave, silk, metallic yarns, embroiderd, applied brass sequins, applied beetle wings, metallic foil; handle of wood, lacquered and painted
Dimensions
28 x 45 cm (11 x 17 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Oldham Collection
Accession Number1976.465
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionReversed heart-shaped fan with plant motif of embroidered gilt-silver yarns, brass sequins surround, on red cotton ground; subsequent bands of purple silk tufts and green beetle wings embroidered on bound cuscus grass, brass sequins on red cotton, gilt-silver yarns embroidered in "X" pattern on black cotton, red cotton with cutout dots revealing gold foil backing; bands of gilt-silver wound around natural cotton separate; unbound cuscus grass mounted at outer edge. Red lacquered wood handle with bands of painted white and black and natural brown wood. (Cuscus grass meant to be wet for cool and fragrant fanning.)
ProvenanceOldham Collection; Gift of Esther Oldham to the MFA on June 9, 1976