Vouwwaaier met blad van beschilderde zijde en met lovers afgezette, waarop drie cartouches met verschillende scenes, betrekking hebbende op de wijnbouw, op een handvat van parelmoer met een vergulde afbeelding c. 1765 - 1771

This fan was made by an anonymous maker with painted silk and mother-of-pearl, sometime in the past. Consider all the labor folded into this object! Silk cultivation, the pearlescent shell of the handle, and the gold decoration all speak to global trade networks, and the exploitation of human and natural resources. The fan is painted with scenes related to wine growing, a process which involves not only agricultural labor, but also, of course, leisure and social life. The hand-painted vignettes probably reference popular imagery, and the pearl and gold details add an exclamation point of luxury. But ultimately, this object performs a simple function: providing a cooling breeze. The shape of a fan is all about efficiently moving air with a flick of the wrist. Note also the folding mechanism which allows it to collapse down, so that it can be conveniently carried. So here we have it all in one object: art, craft, design, labor, leisure, and social distinction. Each of these qualities relies on the others to make this fan such a compelling object.