Accession Number
1988/1.141

Title
Ceremonial Fan

Artist(s)
Fon

Artist Nationality
Fon (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1950

Medium & Support
brass repousse

Dimensions
12 1/8 in x 7 in x 1 in (30.8 cm x 17.8 cm x 2.5 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Label copy
Fans such as this were ceremonial objects that most likely would have been carried by the king. The Fon were part of the Dahomay Kingdom during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, in which art served to legitimize and honor the monarchy. Much of the art was based on earlier Fon art forms, as the fan may have been. The most common materials for Dahomean art were brass, silver, wrought iron, wood and clay. Scepters and wands are examples of other royal art.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
fans (costume accessories)