IVORY FAN

Creator(s): Unknown

Currently in storage

About this object

The 2 ivory guards are finely carved featuring figures in an elaborate palace garden setting divided by the flowers of the four seasons as well as pine and weeping willow trees. The 16 ivory blades of this fan are carved with figures in palace gardens, each with minor variations. The paper band is painted with gouache featuring an elaborate central imperial court scene flanked by one scene of the emperor with a concubine on the left. Two scenes on the right depict the emperor with court officials in different garden settings. The scenes are surrounded by a border of auspicous symbols including prunus, endless knot (representing good fortune), golden cash (representing wealth), melon or gourds (representing many seeds equaling many sons), the Chinese meander pattern, lingzhi fungus of immortality, the 8 precious symbols (babao which include the dragon pearl, lozenge, stone chimes, rhinoceros horn, coin, mirror, book, and artemisia leaf) tied with fillets and mythological creatures. The other side depicts Daoist immortals in the realm of Xi Wangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, who deals in the legendary Kunlan Mountains where the peaches of immortality grow. Purple and blue tassels with endless knots are attached to a metal u-clasp. The fan was made for export to the West.

Object name:

IVORY FAN

Made from:

Ivory -- gouache on paper -- fabric -- mother of pearl

Made in:

CHINA

Date made:

1825-75

Size:

27.9 x 52.7 cm (11 x 20 3/4 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

49.1

Class:

ACCESSORY

Signature marks:

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973