Benjamin Lachelin
Folding Fan and Box
French, 1899-1909
Scroll
Benjamin Lachelin
Folding Fan and Box
French, 1899-1909
Physical Qualities
Bone, gilt, paint, ink, silk or cotton leaf with net and trim of undetermined materials, metallic sequins and spangles(paillets), metal pin, metal ring.
, FAN: 7-7/8 x 14-7/8 in. (opened leaf); 13/16 in. (guard) (20 x 37.8; 3 cm.)
BOX: 9 x 1-3/4 x 1-1/8 in.
Credit Line
Gift of the Family of Josephine Brinckwirth Medart, St. Louis, MO.
Object Number
2007.313a-b
Rococo Revival Folding fan with bone sticks and guards, pierced, gilded, painted with floral designs, silk(?) or polished cotton and net leaf with multicolored printed scene (brown with blue and pink added) in the center of girl and boy in 18th century dress playing a flute together. Sheep and a basket are found in the back and foreground, possibly intimating a shepherdess. Leaf is ornamented with geometric and swag designs created by sewn-on sequins (paillets) of various types, including round polished gold-colored (brass?), round polished blue-silver colored, round embossed gold- colored , elliptical embossed gold-colored, wheel-shaped light gold-colored. Brass pin holds guards and sticks together and a brass loops is present, though no tassel is found. The reverse of the sticks is also painted with gilt in a meander. Gold thread attaching paillets also creates pattern on reverse. Applied trim edge with looped thread edges top and bottom of fan leaf.
Clamshell fan box of paper board covered with softly printed pattern in green and pink of "ikat-like" design. Rim edged with gilding. Paper label inside top is white with dark green stripe on which is printing in gold and white.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2007; Ann Shafer (b. 1964) by descent, 2007; Josephine Brinckwirth Medart (1905-2007), St. Louis, MO by descent; Adelaide Grone (c.1872-c.1958) St. Louis, MO
Inscribed: On paper label inside top: "EVENTAILS [accent on capital E could not print in this program]/ BENJAMIN LACHELIN Paris, 32, Avenue de l'Opéra" In round logo: "B. Schriin" [Note: "rii" is difficult to interpret, may be different name.]
