Leather fan with mother-of-pearl sticks, probably made in Italy, 1790s to 1815
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1790s to 1815
Goat vellum leaf painted in watercolours and with mother-of-pearl sticks decorated with inlaid discs and studs, of steel or marcasite (to be checked). On the reverse of this fan the initials EI (Ekaterina Imperatrix) are shown, for Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, surmounted by an imperial crown.
It is possible that the fan was a souvenir of Italy bought by a Russian tourist on the ‘Grand Tour.’ The front of this fan is decorated in this “postcard” style, with elements including floral motifs, ribbons and gold devices within highly coloured areas, and landscapes of Italy.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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
- Materials and techniques
- Painted leather (goat vellum), and mother-of-pearl with cut steel or marcasite
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Italy
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O130492
- Museum object number
- T.123-1992
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.