SOLD 19th Century Hand-painted Fan with Decorative Bone Guards and Sticks

Hand painted ladies and gentlemen in a leafy garden midst the flowers decorate this stunning Antique fan from the 19th Century. I think that this fan is circa 1870s - 1880s with its decoration having a more 18th Century vibe.  Certainly the costumes, grey powdered wigs and the general imagery suggest this. The fan is made of a cream fabric, most likely silk, where this lovely romantic scene has been hand painted and signed by the Artist "Juliane" whose signature appears on the brown ground on the right side of the leaf.  Further decoration of gold swirls, silver grey bows and ribbons and a golden edge to the leaves finish the design. I have a feeling that the fan might be French in origin.  The fan is in good antique order, showing some signs of its age with a little foxing, some marks commensurate with use,  slight wear to the folds of the leaves but no tears or major flaws - so in general it is a most pleasing and good example.  It opens and shuts well and gives a cooling breeze when used!  When opened fully this Antique fan measures approximately 15.5 inches by 8.25 inches.  It has bone sticks and guards which have engraved gilded and floral designs upon them. The sticks are held in place by a metal rod with round mother of Pearl shell buttons to each side which hold the gilt metal loop handle in place. From this loop handle hangs a silken cord with a tassel which is in a well worn and faded condition and is now a salmon colour,  I would imagine it was  pink when new. .  This nineteenth century fan would make a super addition to a collection of antique fans and vintage accessories.

If you would like more photos of the details of the fan do email me, I would be delighted to send these to you before you commit to buy. 

ACCESSORY DETAILS

Designer or Brand: None

Condition: Good

Decade: 1860s

Era: Antique

Type: Fan

Material: Silk and Bone with Mother of Pearl and Metal

Fans are a fascinating collectable and an important antique and vintage fashion accessory. They have been used from very early times and by the most primitive peoples as cooling devices and for winnowing and activating fires. They have had a role in ceremony and are often objects of great beauty and elegance. There are some superb examples of fans in many of our museums and the role of the fan has evolved as a courtship device with a secret language and also as an advertising tool - particularly with the paper fans that were used for promoting champagne, night clubs and other things in the art deco 1930s period. I recommend the Shire Publication 'Fans' by Helene Alexander ISBN 0-7478-0402-B for further reading.