Fan case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1820-1880
This Chinese fan case was made between 1820 and 1880 during the Qing dynasty to hold a folding fan. It is hexagonal in section and fitted with free-running covers threaded to each end. The body is decorated using the tiehuang (applied yellow) technique, where a bamboo veneer is mounted over a wood core. Thin layers of the pale golden inner skin of bamboo stems were peeled off, flattened under pressure, and affixed to the wooden foundation with strong glue.
One side of the case features an incised landscape depicting a river, trees, and mountains, with the incisions rubbed in green. Above the landscape is a couplet of two seven-character lines, accompanied by an inscription in regular script (kaishu) reading "you fu shi bin bing" and "Qing cui fang gu". The reverse bears a lengthy inscription executed in archaic seal script. The case measures 39.5 cm in height and 7 cm in width, and the maker remains unknown.
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.
Historical context
Fan cases of this type were likely mass-produced for the commercial market rather than individually commissioned by craftsmen or exchanged as personal tokens of esteem between gentlemen.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Bamboo veneer on a wood core
- Dimensions
- Height: 39.5 cm; Width: 7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: From Register; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: written in kaishu: 'you fu shi bin bing'. 'Qing cui fang gu'.; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: The Legate Pacifying the Right, Binbing, carved these 26 characters. By Qingcui, in imitation of the antique.; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: From Register; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: a couplet of two seven-character lines; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: The rustling of wind in the pine trees, a sound of sighing/ Spring waves beyond the willow trees, a spattering of green'; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: From Register; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: long inscription in archaic seal script on reverse; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: 'The master of implements, Binbing, made this with his own hand, for use in campaign, when travelling and in battle. (may it bring) ten thousand years of long life without end, and may sons and grandsons eternally treasure this case.'; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Unknown
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Fan case
- Museum object number
- FE.15-1976
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.