EUROPEAN FANS, PRE-1700-1799
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A Mid 18th Century Ivory Fan, the silk leaf a pale lemon, off-setting a central cartouche and two side vignettes which lend splashes of colour in shades of blue and pink. The cartouche depicts two ladies and a man wearing high fashion 18th century costume, the ladies bedecked with lace ruffles, the gentleman in breeches, long waistcoat and a long blue jacket. The ladies, one of whom has a musical score on her lap, listen with attention to the gentleman's pipe playing. The two side vignettes depict vases of summer flowers, which are repeated in the reserves, The leaf is further embellished with gold painted classical designs and the addition of tiny gold sequins. The verso is plain save for simple painted flowers. The monture is attractively decorated with various figures to the upper guards and gorge, with splashes of colour on their clothes £100 - 200
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A Friendly Gesture: A Circa 1780's Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with sticks in the form known as "battoire". This monture is most heavily carved and gilded, with elaborate piercing to the gorge. Carved ovals of various sizes have been combined to present various male figures in 18th century dress, together with background lattice work and floral detail. The double paper leaf, presented in quite autumnal colours, in particular dark green, shows a couple and their son outside in the garden next to a simple table covered in a white cloth. They are joined by another man carrying a tall silver lidded tankard, presumably wishing to share a beverage with his friends. The lady in pink, her arm around her husband's shoulders, pushes an empty glass towards the new arrival. All are attired quite formally in 18th century dress, the men in long jackets and breeches, waistcoats and sashes, the boy in red. To the left, a lady plays outside with perhaps the same child, certainly wearing red, his mother this time dressed in blue. To the right, the child has changed to red breeches and a brown jacket with green waistcoat, the lady to blue and mauve and possibly doing some embroidery. The leaf is bordered in dark green, relieved in the reserves with garlands and groups of colourful flowers. Four classical oval vignettes, however, painted in near black, bring back some of the more formal feel to the leaf. The verso is lightened to the sides with large colourful flowers. To the centre, a lone gentleman has crossed water to an island and, next to some ruins, he raises his gun at birds flying overhead. Guard length 26cm. Together with an 18th century fabric covered box £100 - 200
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Tenderness: A Late 18th Century Ivory Fan, the monture carved and pierced, gilded and silvered. The gorge, with slender sticks, is carved and pierced alternately with regular designs which are then gilded and silvered. The upper guard section is carved with a figure. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, shows a couple in 18th century dress, in a classical setting, a terracotta urn with a grey profile on a pedestal to the side, the lady wearing a blue open robe with cream petticoat, her beau dressed in a long dark red jacket and cream waistcoat and breeches. The couple are looking deeply into one another's eyes as the gentleman presents a posy of pale pink roses to his lady. Vignettes to the side feature an urn and grapes and a basket and sunhat. The verso is plain save for a small painting of a lady dressed in grey, seated on a rock. Guard length 28cm £150 - 250
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The Musical Family: A Scarce Mid to Late 18th Century Fan, probably English, the leaf applied with ivory, the monture carved and pierced, silvered and gilded. The gorge sticks feature three vignettes, the central oval encompassing six sticks and featuring gilded figures. All sticks are delicately carved and pierced and shaped, to include small ovals containing stars. The double silk leaf features a large central cartouche with unusually shaped border, the scene one of family musical entertainment. A young boy plays the oboe, his older sister the hurdy-gurdy, his mother seemingly the castanets, and the father conducts with a slender baton. The faces of each family member have been applied in ivory, much as those later applied in the case of Chinese Mandarin fans. The family are wearing 18th century costumes, the ladies in pink or blue with tall hairstyles and ringlets topped with small hats, the gentleman all in blue. The border of this and two other cartouches are embroidered with sequins of silver and gold, the vignette to the left featuring another lady dresses similarly in pink, and to the right, a man in blue. Between the cartouches are classical urns filled with bright flowers, in mainly pink and blue. The verso is plain. Guard length 28cm £300 - 600
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An Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, with a pastoral scene of two couples, two children and a governess in the countryside, making flower garlands, accompanied by two dogs. The guards and gorge are carved and painted, quite classically on the guards, the gorge sticks being arranged in pairs, some simply painted with leaves and large flowers, others with much smaller and more dense flower heads, the remainder forming a central vignette with a carving of two couples. The verso is crudely painted with a lady in a garden, seated. Guard 26.5cm £150 - 300
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The Wedding Procession: A Colourful Mid 18th Century Fan, with highly gilded mother-of-pearl monture, the guards carved with a figure and foliage, the gorge elaborately decorated with three vignettes, the centre showing a kneeling male presumably proposing to his lady, a winged cherub above holding a flower garland. To the sides and elsewhere cherubs play and fly. The vignettes are backed with thin white mother-of-pearl. The double paper leaf shows a country procession, the bride and groom in their finery walking at the front, a winged bare breasted lady, Aphrodite (?) hovering above, and carrying a flower garland. The verso shows a gentle countryside scene of three couples, a picnic ready for their enjoyment. Guard length 27cm £300 - 600
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An Elegant Mid-18th Century Fan, mounted on carved and pierced mother-of-pearl sticks, the guards quite regularly carved, the gorge featuring figures. The double cream silk leaf is delicately painted with gold swags, further embellished with tiny gold sequins and larger shaped sequins in green, perhaps complimenting the colours of an evening gown. The verso is plain. Guard length 27.5cm £150 - 250
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The Vineyard: A Slender 18th Century Ivory Brisé Fan, with two painted guards (one with a tortoiseshell thumb guard) and twenty-eight inner sticks. The recto is quite finely painted with a scene of a grape harvest, from the picking of the grapes to the process in the vat, to the barrel and on to the glass held by the jovial man to the far right. A central vine is further decorated with applied embossed gold blossoms and leaves. The gorge is painted in gold and colour depicting oriental figures. The recto continues the theme of the vine, with added gold foil blossom and leaves, the colours subtle, and the flowers attracting insects. Guard length 21cm £300 - 500
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The Country Garden: A French Mid-18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, the guards and gorge silvered and gilded, the guards with roundels at the tips featuring a bee, the gorge sticks, in pairs, with brightly gilded figures and ovals and other shapes containing farming tools and flowers. An orange stone completes the rivet. The double paper leaf is painted en camaieu, one scene in blue, the side scenes in pink, highlighted in gold. In the centre, several figures near a summer house fitted with trellis for climbing flowers, and a fountain. To the sides, a courting couple seated on a fence, and another looking out to sea at sailing ships. The verso, painted all in pink, shows two couples hunting in the countryside, the scene bordered with flowers with gold leaves. Guard length 27cm £250 - 450
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The Rehearsal: A Mid-18th Century White Mother-of-Pearl Fan, lightly silvered and gilded, the carving in the upper guards classical and quite formal. A single spray of flowers crosses the gorge. The double paper leaf shows an elegant couple, the lady in pale pink with white petticoat, a large plumed hat atop a tall hairstyle, her bodice embellished with a stomacher, her sleeves elbow length and trimmed with lace. The gentleman is holding her right hand, his left hand folded as if pressed to his heart. An elegant gentleman faces the couple and appears to be reading to them from a book, perhaps helping in a wedding rehearsal? He is finely dressed in a long red waistcoat embellished with gilt buttons and braised pocket flaps, mauve breeches, a blonde formal wig, a sword by his side and a long stick on which he leans. Cupid, with a blue sash and quiver containing arrows, supervises the proceedings, fanning flames, an arbour brimming with flower garlands to the rear and many more garlands cast around. To the right another couple seated under a tree, the lady wearing powder blue with a laced front bodice, and lace trimmed elbow length sleeves. A small straw bonnet rests atop her formal hairstyle which allows for tumbling ringlets. Her gentleman companion appears to be wearing a powdered wig. The reserves, painted in mid brown, are highly gilded. On the verso a solitary lady is taking the opportunity to read in a peaceful rural settling. Her deep pink robe is trimmed with lace on the low neckline and elbow length sleeves. Her hair is secured with a blue ribbon. The verso is bordered with pink and blue roses and swathes of leaves. Guard length 27.5cm £300 - 500
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An 18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with carving and piercing, silvering and gilding to the monture. The guards are quite classical, the gorge sticks are intricately carved and pierced and backed with mother-of-pearl. The central carving is of ladies and gentleman accompanied by winged cherubs, some more regular designs to the side, and, unusually, two plain mother-of-pearl sticks dyed in a yellow hue. The double paper leaf features five young ladies gathering in the countryside, two sitting apart, one perhaps a shepherdess and the other a maid. The three ladies in the centre are brightly and fashionably dressed, with ruched overskirts and small hats, the clothes of many bright colours. The verso depicts a landscape with a stone tower and other habitation to the side, and hills in the distance, all in quite autumnal colours. Guard length 27cm £180 - 250
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A Mid-18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with unusual leaf, the sticks carved, pierced and gilded, the gorge with gold cherubs appearing to ascend chains and lattice, the guards with cherubs at play. The double leaf intricately painted to resemble silk dress fabric, embellished with a painted dark green trompe l'oeil ribbon. A central painting shows a seated lady enjoying the attentions of a kneeling man, offering flowers and ribbons (a proposal?) and a winged cherub above about to place a white hat on her head. The verso is vellum, painted with a dog bringing a letter to a young lady in its mouth. Guard length 28cm £300 - 500
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Countryside Idyll: A Mid-18th Century Fan, with mother-of-pearl monture, gilded and silvered and painted, the guards having a gold figure and a shell-like form to the tip, the gorge sticks highly decorated with large gold figures backed with burgau, gold cherubs flying around, along with birds. The double paper leaf depicts a rural scene of a couple, a lady with a flower basket and a young boy with a sheep at his feet, all clearly wealthy and wearing elaborate costume. To the right, a blue vignette en camaieu, depicting a windmill, and a further amusing garden scene with three young children playing in front of flower-garlanded columns decked with flowers. The verso is painted with a river scene, a fisherman seated whilst a lady observes, another approaching with a large net. Guard length 29cm £300 - 500
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A Mid 18th Century Ivory Fan, the carved and pierced guards and gorge painted and highly decorated and gilded. The guards are carved with a couple and a further figure. The gorge is ornate, sticks in pairs, also with figures. The double paper leaf is divided into three scenes, the central scene of wealthy people out hunting, a man with a dead bird walking away from the others, an encampment scene on the opposite riverbank, with a rowing boat full of men making its way across the river towards it. To the left is a stage with musicians playing, being watched by couples out for a stroll. The scene to the right is of locals next to the river bank, boats on the water, one man on a horse. The verso has a simple central scene of a couple seated close to an arbour, reserves in a plain dark cream, the whole with a floral border. The gorge is well decorated. Guard length 29cm £350 - 500
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The Swing: After Fragonard in the Wallace Collection, circa 1770's. The lady on the swing reputedly the mistress of a member of the French Court. The fine mother-of-pearl monture is silvered and gilded, elaborately carved, the central vignette of three gilded figures, two others to the sides of ungilded cherubs, the guards with a cherub and figure. The painted scene set outside a modest house shows friends at leisure in a garden, a swing fixed to a tree, a gentleman pulling it with a rope. To the right, a young man about to play the bagpipes, his dog standing alert, and to the left, a small boy seated astride a log watching the activity. The scene is bordered with flowers and musical instruments. The verso depicts a restful countryside scene of a young boy seated on a bench by a river, playing a flute. Guard length 28 cm. Together with a dark green tube fan box, noted inside "Fragonard, 1775" £400 - 700
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Setting Sail: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, with carved guards in a classical style with two figures and a bust, the gorge simply carved with a broad band under the leaf, with a house and several couples in costume, possibly dancing. Fitted with mother-of-pearl thumb guards. The velum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, depicts a galleon leaving port, flags flying, possibly the French flag aloft? To the right, a lady feeding chickens outside her home, a spaniel begging for attention. To the left, a couple conversing, close to a stone tower, archway, and crumbling wall and a man and his dog watching the progress of the galleon and smaller sailing ships. The verso depicts a man in the fields close to a small cottage with smoke coming out of the chimney. Guard length 26cm £300 - 500
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An Elegant 18th Century Carved and Pierced Ivory Fan, with the addition of mother-of-pearl inlay to the guards and the gorge. The upper guard is carved with a figure, the lower section is inlaid with leaves and nuts in mother-of-pearl, the same design on its twisting stems repeated the length of the lower guard. The gorge repeats the inlays with the addition of different shapes to the sides and three pots, planted possibly with miniature fruit trees. The intricate carving to the sides of the lower gorge sticks makes for an interesting design when the fan is closed and laid on its side. The double paper leaf carries drawings which were originally most likely painted in silver, as some shine remains in places. Three vignettes, two with lidded urns and a central larger one with a vase of flowers, are bordered with swags of flowers and foliage. The verso is virtually plain, with a small flower leaf spray. Guard length 28cm £150 - 250
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The Sacrifice of Jephthah's Daughter: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, the monture carved and pierced, the guards with a figure, the gorge elaborately and finely carved and pierced. Centrally, and backed with bugau, a carving of two ladies with gentleman at their shoulder. To each side, in vignettes, a figure perhaps with a musical instrument. The rest of the gorge is filled with elaborate scrolling and piercing. The double vellum leaf depicts the return home of Jephthah, a judge in Israel, who had been away to fight the Ammonites. Before leaving, he had prayed to God for success, rashly promising to offer up as a sacrifice the first person who met him at home on his return. Sadly, this was his beloved only daughter. Guard length 28cm £250 - 350
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The Discussion: An 18th Century Bone (?) Fan, with simple gilding and silvering to the monture. Alternately quite linear and floral to the gorge. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, the central panel dark lilac en camaieu, depicting a country gentleman speaking to a village lady, who appears to have brought him liquid refreshment. A rather mournful dog sits patiently at his feet, sheep grazing quietly to the side. The vignettes to each side depict figures by water, to the left a solitary man stands looking over a bay, to the right two young boys are fishing on a riverbank, large ruins on the opposite bank. The reserves are filled with deep swagging of pink roses and leaves, the upper border with the addition of blue ribbons tied in large bows. The verso is plain save for decoration to the ribs. Guard length 28cm £200 - 400
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Portraits and Peacocks: An Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, with a slender monture quite classically carved and pierced, the gorge with roundels and ovals with detail within and without. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, is unusual. Surrounding a central cartouche of a mythological figure with winged heels (Fortune? Mercury? Perseus?) crossing water on a silver ball, is first ( most unusually) a trompe l'oeil of bobbin lace, then peacock feathers in strong, bold colours which complement the colours used to the sides to depict classical urns, held aloft by Ibis (?). Along the top border are various small portraits of men and women, in oval frames, and some further panels containing classical scenes and symbols. The verso is equally interesting with a central urn of flowers, bordered with leaves, an orange circular panel to either side containing birds, perhaps griffins, and scattered around the reserves, several colourful insects or butterflies. Guard length 34.5cm £180 - 250
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The Spanish Soirée: An Unusual Early 19th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with heavily gilded pierced and carved sticks, the gorge having three large vignettes with figures and a dog, the carving backed with thin mother-of-pearl. In contrast the guards are much more regular in design, being decorated in sections with flowers and more linear patterns. The rivet has an unusual red and green stone in a flower form. The double paper leaf is very highly decorated in gold, in the Spanish taste. The leaf has a central scene of a musical soirée, a man in Cavalier costume with lace trim playing the guitar, a lady holding the music, two other elaborately dressed ladies present, one with a boy at her side holding either a fixed or cockade fan, the room sumptuously hung with green velvet curtains having gold tassels and fringing. At each side of the leaf, and encompassing a fold, thin panels of Mother-of-pearl embossed in gold are overlaid. The verso is a colourful scene of a lady appearing at her balcony reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, with a suitor below, but with the addition of a rival appearing from round the corner about to draw his sword. The colours used on this costume are those used on fans from 1800 to the 1830's. Guard length 29.5cm £400 - 600
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Conversation or Quizzing Fan, French, the double paper leaf printed with a central vignette of two women and a man, entitled "Le Marchand de billets de lotories a la tire aujourd'hui" (the seller of today's lottery tickets), undated but circa 1780's, the remaining leaf covered with small vignettes of phrases relating to romance, with questions on the left and answers on the right, such as "etez vous interesée" and the answer "beaucoup", ou "certainement". Plain polished wooden sticks with ivory thumb guards and slim ivory edges and tips to both upper guards. Plain verso. Guard length 27cm.Provenance: Believed to have belonged to HRH The Duke of Connaught £500 - 700
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First Steps: An 18th Century Fan, circa 1740's-1750's, the ivory monture carved and painted in bright colours. The guards have the addition of portraits in gilded ovals to the tips, a woman on the upper guard, a man on the lower guard. Both guards are carved with figures, cerise foil being visible beneath. The gorge sticks are shaped, with a discernible kink to the centre on some, these being painted with meandering flowers and foliage. Others have their details to the top border, where garden tools, a basket, and a dog chasing a deer are painted. A lower spray of flowers in several colours is tied in blue ribbon with a bow. The double paper leaf makes a feature of blue, mainly in the skies, and in the outline of three vignettes. The largest of these, to the centre, shows a family outside a modest home, one man fishing on the river bank. Two others are playing a game of skittles, these being cone shape and testing the ability of a man to the left who is kneeling ready to take his shot. A maid is drawing water from a well, and to the fore a young mother, dressed in pink, proudly supports a small child in a harness, tentatively taking its first steps. The side vignettes are simple, being painted with a single figure outdoors, under a vast blue sky. The verso has a large landscape, painted mainly in blue, with some shrubbery, a lone man walking next to water. Guard length 27cm £300 - 600
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Family Portraits: A Late 18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, the monture silvered and gilded, carved and pierced, the upper guards with a carved figure, the gorge more lightly but highlighted in gold. An elaborate cream silk and metal thread tassel hangs from an embossed gold metal loop. The double paper leaf shows two couples in the countryside listening to a flautist, one couple dancing, one lady seated next to a lamb, a grey dog at her feet. To the far left of the leaf, a rectangular portrait in a gilt frame, an elderly moustached man with an upright bearing, wearing a metal military helmet. Next left, an oval portrait of a young woman, a pink ribbon in her hair. To the far right, the third oval portrait of a smiling older lady, wearing a white cap decorated with pink ribbon. The verso is a simple landscape, a woman wearing pink in the centre. Guard length 25cm. Together with a fine period hinged box, covered with woven silk in cream, ruby and gold, the inside lined with deep red moiré silk, the exterior edged in braid £400 - 800
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A French Ballooning Fan, circa 1783, single leaf mounted on ivory which has been silvered and gilded, depicting cherubs on the gorge sticks and guards, possibly playing musical instruments. The central panel most likely shows King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. To each side is a depiction of couples in the countryside, watching a balloon high above through telescopes. The leaf is embroidered with tiny sequins of gold and blue and is bordered with tiny cerise painted dots. Simple flower sprays are painted on the cream verso. Guard length 28cm. Together with a green velvet fan box £300 - 600
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An Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, the guards carved and pierced with a lady holding her arm aloft, flowers below, the gorge sticks carved at the top with a wide horizontal band, lightly pierced, the lower gorge plain. Mother-of-pearl thumb guards. The vellum (?) leaf, carved à l'anglaise, is painted with a central scene of a young couple seated under a tree enjoying a picnic, the man with a glass of wine, a big cat, possibly a leopard, lying beside them (Bacchus and Ariadne?), to the left a huntsman with a spear walking his dog, to the right a lady seated next to water, a bird on a leash on her extended right arm. The leaf is applied with embossed gold foil shapes and panels of various sizes, along the top border, part way down the sides, and close to the centre. The verso, painted in pastel shades, shows a hilltop village, several figures dancing and taking a stroll outside the walls. Guard length 27.5cm £400 - 700
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Flora and Zephyr: An Early 18th Century Printed Fan, with some additional colour and gilding, with plain tortoiseshell guards and a plain ivory gorge, the leaf depicting Flora, goddess of Flowers and of the Spring and her husband Zephyr, the Wind God, a winged cherub above. The verso is plain. Guard length 25cm £300 - 500
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Joseph Sold Into Slavery: A Mid-18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, the leaf possibly Dutch, the monture carved, pierced and gilded, the guards with a female figure and flowers, the gorge with a large central roundel, gilded figures within, two side vignettes of classical design. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, is painted with a large central scene of Joseph being sold into slavery, coins changing hands, a keeper and two camels in the background. One smaller side vignette depicts a dog on a riverbank, ruins behind, the other side depicting a shepherdess seated by a riverbank. The verso is painted simply with a shepherdess and a sheep. Guard length 28cm £200 - 400
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The Toilet of Venus: A Mid 18th Century Ivory Fan, with carved, pierced and painted sticks, the guards with a cherub, the gorge with figures, fruit and a central vignette of musical instruments, possibly bagpipes. The double paper leaf is painted with The Toilet of Venus, her female attendants engaged in various daily routines, one kneeling on the stone flags choosing jewels from a box. The verso shows a couple playing ball games with their small dog. Guard length 29cm £300 - 600
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Eros and Anteros: A Mid-18th Century Ivory Fan, the sticks intricately carved and pierced, the upper guard with a flute player, the gorge carved with a central vignette of a young couple and a bird, to each side a vase of flowers, the remaining carving of similar flowers and swirling foliage. The double velum leaf depicts a struggle high in the clouds, possibly between Eros and Anteros, a bare breasted Venus in a decorative gilded chariot to the right, doves flying and other cherubs present. The verso shows a long distance view of rolling countryside, with a couple river fishing to the near left corner. Guard length 27cm £200 - 300
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The Toilet of Venus: A Mid-18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with carved and pierced monture, the sticks heavily and brightly gilded, the gorge with vignettes of elegantly dressed men and women. The guards are less elaborate but have figures, and a turquoise stone to the rivet. The double vellum leaf shows Venus at her toilet, attended by several winged cherubs, one brushing her hair, another attending to her feet, a group bringing her robes. A helmeted soldier in a blue cloak is offering gifts. The verso depicts a couple in the garden playing ball with a small dog. Guard length 29cm £300 - 600
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Flora and Zephyr: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, circa 1760's to 1770's, the monture ornate with heavy guards and elaborately gilded and silvered sticks, pierced and carved with some designs covering two sticks. The carved guards feature a figure and child, and musical instruments. The gorge alternates between heavy sticks in pairs and single sticks with a variety of designs, the paired sticks with gilded figures, possibly musicians, the central vignette spread over four sticks, creating an elaborate gilded frame for the four figures within, who are also either playing an instrument or acting a part in a play. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, depicts Flora, Goddess of Flowers and of the Spring surrounded by cherubs and flowers, and her husband Zephyr, the Wind God, a winged cherub with a lyre flying beside him. A group of three seated winged cherubs are playing with flowers whilst a solitary cherub is playing with flowers next to a stone pedestal that serves as a gushing water fountain and is topped by a pair of embracing stone cherubs. To each side of this scene, circular cartouches are painted with baskets and fruit. The reserves are simply painted with flowers, being pink roses, blue carnations and a deeper blue flower with a yellow centre. The verso is painted with a simple basket of fruit. Guard length 27.5cm £300 - 600
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Bacchus and Ariadne: An Extravagant 18th Century Mother-of-Pearl Fan, circa 1780's, the monture carved and pierced, silvered and gilded. The upper guard is carved with a large figure wearing a helmet. The heavy gorge sticks, of the type known as "battoire" , are worked with a shield-shaped carving centrally over four sticks and with two further pairs of sticks of oval form, all containing carved and gilded figures, cherubs to the ovals and a couple to the shield. The remaining single sticks are carved as if flower tendrils are twisting round in order to climb. The double paper leaf is painted with Bacchus and Ariadne and companions in a woodland setting, wine being poured by winged cherubs to the right, Bacchus leaning over the shoulder of Ariadne, wearing a leopard skin, other winged cherubs around here and there with Cupid hovering above and drawing an arrow from his quiver. The verso is brightly painted with The triumph of Venus, a large dolphin in the sea to the left and a cherub hovering above, a cherub swimming to the right trying to catch up with a white swan, ridden by a winged cherub who has a leash drawn close to his chest. Guard length 25cm £600 - 1000
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The Triumph of Ariadne: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, with plain monture other than having had mother-of-pearl thumb guards. The single vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, depicts Ariadne being brought home to safely by Bacchus, having been abandoned on the Greek island of Naxos by her lover Theseus. Ariadne is within Bacchus' chariot, pulled by lions (a variation from the leopards that are normally depicted) and pushed by winged cherubs, Bacchus ahead to the left, the verso is plain. Guard length 27cm £250 - 500
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The Marriage of Joseph to Asenath: A Marriage Fan, second half of the 18th century, double paper leaf mounted on fine gilded and silvered mother-of-pearl sticks. Asenath, an Egyptian, wearing a gold crown, her groom Joseph, an Israelite patriarch, at her side, comes to be married at an arbour garlanded with flowers, observed by men on horseback. To the left, a stone plinth with the words "Joseph épouse de Asena fille de Potiph". To the right another such plinth is carved with skinny white oxen signifying seven years of famine. The double paper leaf is painted on the verso with a bedchamber from which a young man takes his leave, his lady calling him to return. The guards are gilded and silvered and the gorge sticks are embellished with gold cherubs. Guard length 29cm. Together with a purple velvet covered fan box, cream lining, the label printed inside the lid "By Special Appointment to H.R.H The Princess of Wales, from Madame Elise 170 Regent Street London £400 - 800
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Alexander before the King of Macedonia?: A Slender Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, the sticks piqué with steel in quite regular designs, the scale delicate. The vellum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, is painted with a king, possibly Phillip of Macedonia, seated on a sumptuously draped throne, greeting his son Alexander (later Alexander II of Macedonia) on his mount Bucephalus, soldiers in attendance, a small dog in the foreground. The verso, with a cream ground, is painted with three sprays of roses and parrot tulips. Guard length 25.5cm £400 - 700
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Moses in the Bulrushes: A Circa 1700-1720 Ivory Fan, plain monture with mother-of-pearl thumb guards, wide shoulders to the gorge sticks, and bulbous head at the rivet. The painted velum leaf, mounted à l'anglaise, shows the discovery of Moses, an Israelite, hidden in the bulrushes on the banks of the Nile by his Mother to avoid the certain death of her son, as the Egyptian Pharaoh had decreed that all new born Hebrew boys were to be killed. By chance he was found by the Pharaoh's daughter and her ladies, who then adopted him. The verso, painted black, and decorated with vivid flowers, to include parrot tulips, roses and convolvulus. Guard length 27cm £400 - 700
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A Mid-18th Century Ivory Fan, with pierced and carved monture. The wider upper guard section is carved with flowers and a basket. The gorge sticks are quite simply pierced in groups of two or three to form two diamond shaped vignettes. The double paper leaf is part silvered on the recto and fully silvered on the verso and découpé. The recto is painted in bold colours with four young people in the countryside, one girl in yellow and pink holding a musical score, a young man, seated, in blue, playing a violin. The other couple are dancing. The verso is painted with a delicate multi-petalled pink rose and a bud, on two green stems. The découpage mainly features leaves and runs along the top border. Guard length 29cm £180 - 250
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A Circa 1760 to 1770's Bone Fan, with double paper leaf, mounted on pierced and carved sticks, a vase and flowers painted on the guard and a simple painted flower spray sweeping across the gorge. The leaf is découpé, along the top border and a section of the sides, with quite intricate flowers and foliage. The centre of the leaf depicts an Oriental lady wearing pink robes and a child wearing blue robes, beside a table on which is placed a vase. The lady carries a fan. The leaf also depicts shells and sea vegetation, and a fish or dolphin. The verso is plain. Guard length 29cm £250 - 500
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A Small and Slender Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, the guards painted in several colours with figures and fruit and perhaps a frog. The gorge is also painted, and pierced, a central scene of a large plant pot with a cactus and a coral plant, several figures around, further figures to each side, a band of tiny painted flowers beneath. The double paper leaf shows an important visitor wearing long trailing robes and carrying a fan, and the preparations for the visit, with a table being set with crockery and various figures arriving with baskets and household objects. The verso shows a distant mountain range, a stylised tree, and a fisherman. Guard length 25.5cm £400 - 700
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An Early 18th Century Carved and Pierced Ivory Fan, the guards with three panels, alternating with flatter and more lightly carved sections. The gorge has a pierced lattice background, with a central carved and pierced vignette of two adults and a child. To either side, a further carved vignette. The double paper leaf depicts friends and family at leisure, some on horseback, some flying red kites, all dressed in colourful and detailed robes, the women with very white faces. The verso is cream and very simple, with three painted sprays of leaves and pink flowers. Guard length 31cm £250 - 350
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An 18th Century Ivory Fan, the guards carved and pierced and parts of the design painted in pale blue with gold highlights. The gorge is carved and painted with the same colours, the blue shiny, ground- up mother-of-pearl, the lower section painted in several colours with small oriental figures, a butterfly and a rose. The double paper leaf shows a central bridge over water, a man crossing, an adult and child to the left, two women to the right, some aspects highlighted in gold. The verso is cream with only a basic drawing of flower stems. Guard length 28cm £300 - 500
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A Very Slender and Understated 18th Century Chinese Ivory Fan, Qing Dynasty, the guards quite simply carved and the gorge sticks only slightly shaped. The double paper leaf with a scene of stylised trees, buildings, several figures, one fishing, is drawn and coloured in light shades of lilac, green and blue, with some darker blue for emphasis. The verso has a simple pink flower and leaves. Guard length 28cm £250 - 350
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An 18th Century Fan, of plain wood, painted dark brown/black, the double paper leaf quite simply painted with an Oriental figure on a rock, holding a blue flower, similar flowers and others in pastel shades decorating the cream reserves. The figure is simply dressed in a loose lilac robe over yellow trousers, a red necktie and red shoes. The verso has a very small spray of lilac flowers and green leaves. Guard length 29cm £150 - 250
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A Mid-18th Century Bone Fan, the upper guards and gorge sticks quite simply carved and pierced. The double paper leaf is painted with a charming scene of an Oriental mother and three young children at play, under the shade of a fruit tree. The tree has been used to hang a line, from which the mother has suspended two drums, or gongs, which she beats with a stick to provide rhythm for the dancing children. The family wear simple but colourful clothing in primary colours, the children in calf length trousers, their hair somewhat dishevelled, their arms aloft as they dance. To their left is a very pointed child's size pagoda, with several tiers, the roofs of red and the lower walls painted in blue, a gold figure just visible within the upper more open tier. Bells hang from the corners. The ground is planted with low growing shrubs and some sort of coral coloured vegetation. The verso is plain save for a simple delicate swag border of leaves. Guard length 27cm £200 - 400
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Deference: An Ivory Fan, possibly 1730's to 1740's, the monture carved and pierced. The upper section of the upper guard is carved with a female figure and decorative scrolling. The lower guard is half carved with leaves. Both guards are shaped at gorge level to follow the gorge sticks. The gorge is simply pierced, the only real detail being a shaped plain panel covering three of the sticks to the centre. The paper leaf is mounted à l'anglaise, and is découpé over two thirds of the surface, leaving the central sections whole for a painting of a magnolia tree in blossom, in pink and white, and a seated oriental figure, wearing blue, a veil attached to the top and back of the head. To his right is a much smaller Oriental man carrying a basket, and bowing in deference. To the far right is a separate depiction of a Chinese fisherman aboard a simple boat. The découpage is mainly quite regularly cut in the form of a honeycomb, with interspaced and quite large flowerheads and leaves. The verso is plain. Guard length 29.5cm £80 - 150
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Chinese Conversation: A Slender and Early 18th Century Ivory Fan, the gorge and guards painted mainly in rich browns and reds, a dragon breathing fire in the centre, other Chinese symbolism highlighted in gold. Tortoiseshell thumb guards. The leaf, with a black ground, shows two elders on the water next to a riverbank, two large trees stumps serving for seats, a junk to their left, and a lady inside in contemplation. The verso in black is painted with a simple spray of flowers, the gorge having similar colourful decoration to that on the recto. Guard length 26.5cm £400 - 800
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A Vibrant Mid-18th Century Fan, the vellum leaf mounted à l'anglaise having a central vignette of a courting couple, to the right a bird, insect and fruit, to the left a Chinese figure in robes together with a bird. The verso with chinoiserie elements, depicting fruit, and a bird in flight. The gorge, with a central painted vignette depicting a soldier and lady, a face on his shield, another lady and Cupid with his bow, and an obelisk, is a marvel of minute flower carving surrounding regular and repeated pierced shapes painted in two shades of blue the carving being intricate when closed and laid on the side. The guards are carved with animals and flowers, a green stone at the rivet. Guard length 29cm £700 - 1000
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A Fine 18th Century Ivory Fan, the monture carved and pierced giving a very light appearance, complimented by the pastel shades of painting both on the gorge and on the leaf. The guards are underlaid with a dark pink foil, the ivory finely pierced, and flowers feature in two small painted panels. The gorge sticks are intricately carved, except where three panels are painted, two in cream with blue and pink flowers, green leaves, the third painted in pastel blue and featuring a colourful bird. The double paper leaf depicts an oriental couple seated in the garden, the lady in a decoratively carved chair with a grey cat in residence on her knee. The man, dressed in a grey robe with a large brown hat, and dark boots, is seated next to a container of fire crackers? An attendant approaches with a tray on which is a grey vase with coral floral stems. The cream reserves feature white flowers and blossom branches. The verso is painted with a delicate spray of pastel blue blossom. Guard length 28.5cm £350 - 550
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The Pedlar: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, possibly Italian, with carved and inlaid guards and carved and pierced gorge, the inlay of mother-of-pearl, with animals and birds, the very colourful gorge a delight of miniature paintings of animals, to include foxes and squirrels and perhaps a pig, small scale houses, churches: three vignettes, two featuring birds, the larger central vignette with a vase and colourful flowers and foliage. The double paper leaf depicts a rural village and the arrival of pedlars, who carry pots and pans and are accompanied by a mule, perhaps offering a relining service for pans. A maidservant carrying scales is possibly buying fruit. The verso has a simple outdoor scene with one lady and a building, both of which are blackened. Guard length 26.5cm £400 - 800
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