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Fortune-telling fan
about 1800
Object Place: England
Medium/Technique
Paper leaf engraved and painted in watercolor; wood sticks; mother-of-pearl
Dimensions
Guard: 25 cm (9 13/16 in.); maximum open: 45 cm (17 11/16 in.); arc: 145°
Credit Line
Oldham Collection
Accession Number1976.313
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsFashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionDouble paper leaf fortune-telling fan. Obverse: "The Oracle," wheel of fortune center, two winged figures above with "Book of Fate," "Explication," "Example," and "Questions" to sides. Reverse: medallions with portraits and symbols of gods above answers to questions on obverse. Narrow gilt on green paper edging. (Pinholes on wheel indicate fan actually used.) Wood sticks, unpolished blades, polished guards. Mother-of-pearl rings on rivet.
ProvenanceGift of Esther Oldham to MFA, June 9, 1976.