19th Century Chinese Export Fan With Finely Pierced Boxwood Sticks and Hand-Painted Scene, Framed

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Description

A remarkable example of 19th-century Chinese export artistry, this hand fan was produced in Canton for the European market and … Read more A remarkable example of 19th-century Chinese export artistry, this hand fan was produced in Canton for the European market and features a finely carved and pierced set of boxwood sticks paired with a vividly painted paper leaf. The fan is presented in a custom half-round gilt shadowbox frame lined with pink, preserving and showcasing its exquisite detail.

The leaf is hand-painted in rich polychrome hues and depicts a courtly domestic scene populated with figures in traditional Qing dress, set amid a lively garden and interior architectural backdrop. The intricately pierced and incised boxwood sticks reflect a high level of craftsmanship, with geometric and floral motifs echoing the refined carving traditions of the export period.

Similar examples of Chinese export fans from the early to mid-19th century can be found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum, where they are celebrated for their hybrid aesthetic—merging Chinese techniques with Western stylistic sensibilities.

Dimensions (framed): 20.25”W × 13”H × 1.5”D
Origin: China, for export to Europe
Date: Circa 1820–1850
Materials: Pierced boxwood, painted paper leaf, giltwood frame

A collector’s piece and a decorative treasure, this fan embodies the delicate cross-cultural elegance of the Chinese export tradition at its height. See less