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Object Timeline

1952

  • We acquired this object.

2012

2013

2014

2022

2025

  • You found it!

Brisé Fan (China)

This is a Brisé fan. It is dated ca. 1785 and we acquired it in 1952. Its medium is carved ivory sticks, silk ribbon, glass stone . It is a part of the Textiles department.

Chinese carved ivory fans (hu shan) were extremely popular in 18th-century Europe. This monogrammed brisé example—that is, with blades connected by a ribbon threaded through the top—displays skillfully hand-carved fine vertical lines, which appear as a sheer background supporting opaque relief patterns of curling vines, flowers, birds, and pagodas.

This object was donated by Unknown. It is credited Gift of Anonymous Donor.

  • Bracelet
  • ivory, elastic/cord.
  • Gift of the estate and in memory of Robert B. Noyes.
  • 1946-50-46
  •
  • Brisé Fan
  • carved, pierced and painted ivory sticks, silk ribbon.
  • Bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane.
  • 1926-22-113

Our curators have highlighted 7 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Bracelet
  • ivory, silk thread.
  • Gift of the estate and in memory of Robert B. Noyes.
  • 1946-50-85-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W (open): 27 x 45.7 cm (10 5/8 x 18 in.)

Cite this object as

Brisé Fan (China); carved ivory sticks, silk ribbon, glass stone ; H x W (open): 27 x 45.7 cm (10 5/8 x 18 in.); Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1952-161-225-a

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Foreign Exchange and Making Design.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18391125/ |title=Brisé Fan (China) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>