Brisé Fan

Chinese, c. mid-19th century

Black lacquer and gold paint on wood

Gift of Mr. Eric Shrubsole1983.c.90

This fan depicts scenes of leisure in garden settings bordered by decorative motifs of flowers, butterflies and gold coins. Lacquer is a characteristic Chinese finish used on fans. A form of resin from the trunk of the Rhus vernicifera tree, lacquer turns black when exposed to air. The rich transparent quality of the finish on this fan was achieved by mixing the lacquer with finely-powdered gold. Black and gold lacquer brisé fans portraying the domestic, social and ceremonial life of China were extremely popular constituted a large proportion of Chinese fans made for the Western market in the 19th century.

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