Folding fan

To meet the European curiosity for chinoiserie, Chinese artisans used lacquer and gold to decorate various export goods and furniture. As shown on this hand fan, the supporting sticks are painted with black lacquer and gold patterns. The scene depicts figures in a garden setting along with fancy flowers, echoing a series of pictures of theatrical scenes painted on the fan paper as it opens out. The fan’s borders are further painted with auspicious motifs of Buddhist art that represent good fortune, such as the endless knot, conch shell, fish, and lotus flower.