E0404: Fan

Ethnographic

---

Identifier:

E0404

Classification Category:

3:Personal Artifacts ➞ Personal Gear

Materials:

animal ➔ feather
animal ➔ bone
metal
colorant ➔ paint

Dimensions:

29.5 cm L
39.5 cm W
2 cm H

Provenance of Object:

The fan probably originated in China or Korea. The peony motifs as well as the image indicate mainland rather then Japan. However, greater specificity cannot be confirmed without further examination.
Ethnic group: Korean or Chinese. However, the sub-ethnic group is unknown. The image of the two men especially indicates a non-Japanese origin because of their clothing and hairstyle most closely resemble traditional Chinese clothing rather than Japanese. (Asia361 research)

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Production Date:

Late Imperial period (1750-1850). It is relatively difficult to tell since folding fans have a pretty wide date range. However the butt of the fan appears to be an "eggplant" butt, which implies mid-late Qing origins (Asia361 research)

Use/Function:

This fan was probably prized for its aesthetic value rather than practical function- although fans were also common household items. However, the fact that this is a feathered fan and is fairly ornately designed seems to indicate the former. Fans were quite popular gift-giving and trade items. The fan trade and fan culture was especially popular with the European aristocracy, and it is quite possible that this fan served that very purpose as well. (Asia361 research)

Source Locality:

China

Description:

Feather fan made of 23 white feathers attached to thin bone stems with carving of decorative/Chinese characters.

---