Fan

Brisé fans have no leaf. They are made of sticks held together with a silk cord or ribbon. The popularity of brisé fans declined during the middle of the 18th century but revived in the 1790s. This was partly because there were new technologies and a greater variety of materials for making brisé fans.

This example is made of sandalwood sticks whose fragrance added to its attraction as a dress accessory. The decoration is in the form of paper prints applied to the wood. The fan maker carefully sliced the engravings to fit each stick and retain the integrity of the original image when opened. This fan is also reversible. It shows two different printed designs, depending on whether it is opened from the right or left.