Cabriolet

The imagery is rendered with fine brushwork, using mineral pigments in blues, greens, and reds to create depth and vibrancy. Ivory serves as a smooth, luminous ground, contrasting with the black and gold decorative borders. The precision of detail and layered coloring indicate skilled craftsmanship, likely from a workshop specializing in export or elite domestic goods.

Produced during a period of active trade between China and Europe, such fans were often made for export or as gifts among the elite. This example entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through documented acquisition, possibly during the late 19th or early 20th century, as part of broader ethnographic collecting efforts.

Similar fans were produced in Guangzhou and other southern Chinese centers, where artisans adapted local aesthetics to meet foreign tastes while preserving traditional motifs. The use of ivory and intricate painting signaled status, and such objects were frequently exchanged in diplomatic or commercial contexts between China and Western markets.

As a preserved artifact, the fan offers insight into the intersection of craftsmanship, social custom, and cross-cultural exchange. It remains a tangible record of how decorative arts functioned as both personal items and cultural ambassadors, reflecting the technical skill and visual language of its time.