Object Timeline

1925

  • Work on this object ended.

2018

2019

2024

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Brisé Fan, early 20th century

This is a Brisé fan. It is dated early 20th century and we acquired it in 2018. Its medium is sticks of pierced cellulose nitrate with silk ribbon, celluloid loop and rivet caps, metal rivet. . It is a part of the department.

This fan represents an experimental period when substitutions for costly natural materials were being explored. The cellulose nitrate has been colored to mimic and exaggerate the natural striations found in ivory. The material's inherent vice of giving off or "off-gassing," harmful acids has led to its darkening and the deterioration of the silk ribbon.

This object was donated by Monty Freeman. It is credited Gift of Belmont Freeman, for the family of Maria Magdalena Kjellesvig González de Freeman.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 16.5 × 27.3 cm (6 1/2 × 10 3/4 in.)

Cite this object as

Brisé Fan, early 20th century; sticks of pierced cellulose nitrate with silk ribbon, celluloid loop and rivet caps, metal rivet. ; H x W: 16.5 × 27.3 cm (6 1/2 × 10 3/4 in.); Gift of Belmont Freeman, for the family of Maria Magdalena Kjellesvig González de Freeman; 2018-41-2

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Plastics.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318793363/ |title=Brisé Fan, early 20th century |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>