Qing Dynasty literati collaborative folding fan with floral painting and calligraphy
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Qing Dynasty, 19th century
This Qing-dynasty literati collaborative folding fan is a dual-purpose object, serving both as a functional summer cooling tool and a scholarly piece of art. The fan is constructed with 18 slender ribs made of bamboo, with the outer ribs featuring inlaid dark golden-brown bamboo grain.
The fan face is composed of gilt-flecked xuan paper, finished with a dark blue silk trim along the edge. The artwork on the front displays freehand-painted red leaves and pink peonies alongside ink bamboo branches, complemented by running-script calligraphy and red artist seals. The reverse side features ink lotus and red plum blossoms, accompanied by calligraphy in the style of prominent 19th-century Chinese literati.
The ink and color washes are applied in a natural manner, and the paper exhibits gentle age toning consistent with its history. Measuring 31cm in height and 50cm in length, this fan serves as a significant example of scholarly gathering gifts from the Qing period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Ribs
- 18
- Height
- 31cm
- Length
- 50cm
- Material
- bamboo, gilt-flecked xuan paper, silk
Technical characteristics
- Style
- freehand painting, running-script calligraphy
Design
- Front motif
- red leaves, pink peonies, ink bamboo branches
- Embellishment
- red artist seals
- Reverse motif
- ink lotus, red plum blossoms
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.