Accession Number
1980/1.233

Title
Calligraphy on Folding Fan

Artist(s)
Shen Meisou; Zhu Zumou (Chu Tsu-mou)

Object Creation Date
1919-1920

Medium & Support
ink on paper

Dimensions
13 3/8 in x 19 in (33.97 cm x 48.26 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase made possible by the Richard K. Beardsley Memorial Fund, supplemented by the Friends of the Museum of Art

Label copy
Gallery Rotation Winter 2014
Shen Meisou
China, 1850–1922
Zhu Zumou
China, 1857–1931
Calligraphy on folding fan
Modern period (1912–present)
1919–20
Folding fan, ink on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Richard K. Beardsley Memorial Fund, supplemented by the Friends of the Museum of Art 1980/1.232
This folding fan involves the work of three artists: Shen Meisou and Zhu Zumou each inscribed a side, while another artist who did not sign his full name decorated its two main bamboo ribs. The practice of carving on bamboo in China flourished in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, but carving on thin bamboo fan ribs was rare before the Qing. The inscription on the bamboo suggests that the carving is in the style of the renowned Qing dynasty carver Yang Longshi (1781–1850). One rib has a design in the shape of a Chinese scepter—a symbol of good fortune—with its handle inscribed, “You will be a high official.” This suggests the fan may have been a commodity in the market, bought as a gift or by someone hoping for a promotion.
Both Shen and Zhu were scholar-officials in the late Qing government. Zhu’s inscription is a colophon written for a painting by his brother, while Shen’s, on the other side of the fan (pictured below), is comprised of two poems written in standard script (kaishu).

Subject matter
This folding fan involves work of three artists. Shen Meisou(1850-1922) and Zhu Zumou (1857-1931) each inscribed on one side of the fan, and another artist who did not sign his full name designed and carved on the two cover bamboo ribs of the folding fan. The practice of carving on bamboo in China flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasty and carving on thin bamboo ribs of the fan was rare before Qing dynasty. The inscription on the bamboo also suggests that the carving is in the style of a famous Qing dynasty carver Yang Longshi (1781-1850). On one bamboo rib there is a design in the shape of Chinese scepter symbolizing good fortune and in the “handle” of the scepter there carved “You will be a high official”. The folding fan may be a commodity in the market sought after for gift giving or by people who wish themselves promoted.

Physical Description
Both Shen Meisou and Zhu Zumou had been scholar-official for the late Qing government. What Zhu Zumou inscribed is a colophon he wrote for his brother’s painting; Shen Meisou inscribed in standard script (Kaishu) on the other side of the fan two poems his friend had come across.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
folding fan

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
calligraphy (process)
fans (costume accessories)