Vouwwaaier met gebatikt blad, waarop een voorstelling met 15 figuren, op een montuur van parelmoer ingelegd met goud c. 1907

This fan was made by Rebecca Palache, and its leaf is made of batik textile mounted on a mother-of-pearl frame inlaid with gold. The scene with fifteen figures is made using the batik technique, a wax-resist dyeing process. Hot wax is applied to areas of the cloth, preventing dye from penetrating those parts, creating intricate patterns. The wax gives the fabric unique textures and effects, with crackling and mottled surfaces that are characteristic of batik. The frame of the fan consists of meticulously carved pieces of mother-of-pearl, inlaid with delicate gold details. This skilled work reflects a tradition of craftsmanship, combining natural materials with refined artistic techniques. The fan showcases the fusion of textile art with decorative craftsmanship, elevating what could be a functional object to a status symbol, embodying the global exchange of materials and techniques. Appreciating the processes, labor, and cultural significance that are embedded in objects like this folding fan enables us to consider these intricate artworks beyond the conventional art categories.