Title
A palm-leaf fan with ivory handle and finial
Year/Period
18th century
Region
Sri Lanka, Kandy period
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 51.5 x 37.5 x 17.5 cm
Accession No.
2016-00222
Collection of
This fan consists of a painted turned handle, with scrolling and foliate designs in red and black. The palm-leaf fan is held in place by elaborately carved holder and finial. The style is characteristic of ivory objects from Sri Lanka, and this piece is exceptionally large.It shows the high level of craftsmanship, especially in ivory carving, achieved during the Kandy period. The fan would have been used by a high profile monk during Buddhist ceremonies. Devotees presented ivory fans of this type to the monks they revered.
