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Brisé fan
French
1856
Object Place: France
Medium/Technique
Silk moiré, lithographed and painted in opaque watercolor; marabou feathers and mother-of-pearl sticks
Dimensions
Guard: 27 cm (10 5/8 in.); maximum open: 50 cm (19 11/16 in.) arc: 165°
Credit Line
Oldham Collection
Accession Number1976.258
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionSeventeen feather-shaped blades of white silk moiré mounted on sticks, tipped with marabou feathers. Obverse: painted central medallion of Empress Eugénie with Prince Imperial on throne with crown at back; Napoleon III standing right with ladies-in-waiting, governesses at sides; blue stylized vegetative border; polychrome floral design to sides; gilt edges (only paint, not tape). Reverse: simple, stylized floral design center guard; carved, pierced mother-of-pearl lower blades overlap upper blades; floral design, man and woman center, backed with burgouté pearl. Blue silk tassel decorated with silver wire suspends from ornate gilt ring with deep blue simulated sapphires in pin. Blue paper, green velvet, gilt bound fiddle-shaped box with glass cover.
ProvenanceGift of Esther Oldham to MFA, June 9, 1976