Fan
1870s - 1880s
Hand painted silk, wood, and sequins
Gift of Elizabeth Wadsworth
Object number83.219.29
The butterfly on this fan is presented as a study specimen, while sequins and metallic threads artfully recreate the iridescent sheen of a butterfly’s wings. In Victorian society, collecting “exotic” examples of nature was a privilege of the upper classes, whose patronage resulted in the development of natural history museums, zoos, and aquariums.
DescriptionFan; brown sheer fabric, painted butterfly in brown, black, blue, cream, orange, gold; blue and goldtone sequins; gold wooden sticksCollections
Exhibitions