AN INDIAN FAN WITH IRIDESCENT GREEN BEETLE WINGS
Possibly Pahari province, Himalayan Foothills or Rajasthan, Northern India, 18th century

The lobed fan head designed as a stylised arabesque palmette, made of compressed paper sheets wrapped in now-faded indigo-dyed cotton fabric, embroidered in metal thread and sequins throughout, enhanced with almond-shaped iridescent green beetle wings laid out in the shape of vegetal stems and leaves, attached to a tapering wooden handle with two brown leather hoops, 38cm x 20.5cm at widest points.

Dimensions: 38cm x 20.5cm at widest points