Folding Fan

Item number Ed1.193 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

A closing fan with twenty-seven inner ribs of split bamboo each with an abstract design burned on the base of each side and two parent ribs of bamboo also with burned designs while one end of each is set into a piece of dark rosewood through which is passed a brass rivet. Fan covered with light brown paper on one side and painted with a landscape scene and six characters. Upper edge is covered with very sticky cellophane tape.

History Of Use

Folding fans were used by members of the official “Yangban” class, and sometimes by women of other classes. Korean folding fans were very well-made, and were exported to China and Japan during the Koryo and Chosun Periods. Some had a large number of fine ribs.

Iconographic Meaning

The fact that the paper was oiled with the oil of round sesame seeds indicates that the fan was used by a scholar. Bats of the ribs of the fan symbolize good fortune. Other symbols on the fan represent long life.

Item History

Made in Korea before 1935
Collected before 1935
Owned by Marion Stephan
Owned by Charles H. Stephan before January 10, 1977
Received from Charles H. Stephan (Donor) on January 10, 1977

What

Name: Folding Fan
Identification Number: Ed1.193
Type of Item: fan
Material: bamboo grass, paper, wood, metal, oil, round sesame seed, paint and rice paste adhesive
Manufacturing Technique: cut, split, burned, oiled, pasted, smoothed, painted and riveted
Overall: height 28.7 cm, width 47.0 cm, depth 3.8 cm