Foedraal van zwart gelakt hout, met glazen plaat in de deksel; bestemd voor een vouwwaaier c. 1765 - 1771

This black lacquered wooden case with a glass lid once held a folding fan, a ubiquitous item across cultures, laden with symbolism. Consider the fan, a form that appears in ancient Egyptian art, wielded by royalty, and in classical depictions of mythological figures. These early forms often symbolized power, status, and even divine presence. In later periods, particularly in Europe and Asia, the fan evolved into a more nuanced tool, used for flirtation, secret communication, and as a marker of social etiquette. The dark lacquer of this case and the protective glass introduce a sense of preservation, as if guarding a relic. This impulse to safeguard precious objects is part of a deep human need to stop time, to hold onto beauty and memory, giving the fan a place in a long line of meaningful objects. The fan’s journey continues, changing in form and function, yet always retaining a whisper of its ancient power and mystery.