Fan 1837

These fans were made by Christiana Hummer, and though we don't have a specific date for them, the material gives us a lot of insight into their history. They’re made of vellum, also known as parchment, which is a writing surface prepared from animal skin. Vellum provides a unique surface for decorative painting. It's smooth and durable, allowing for fine detail work that you can see in the delicate floral motifs. Creating vellum and painting on it are laborious processes, requiring skill and precision. It gives these fans a social significance, too. Vellum was historically associated with luxury and refinement, so the use of the material suggests that these fans were meant for a wealthy patron. The very labor-intensive process and costly materials elevate these fans beyond mere functional objects. It really blurs the boundaries between craft and fine art, inviting us to consider the artistry embedded in everyday items.