Western Europe, France, Neoclassical period, ca. 19th century CE. An opulent hand fan comprised of a painted vellum leaf and mother of pearl sticks adorned with copper foil. The leaf displays a fantastical scene of a female archer and a helmeted male beside a river. A fountain flows in the distance, with the inscription "A.M.," likely the initials of the artist. A white dog, symbolizing faithfulness, sits beside the couple, who lovingly embraces one another, and a scrolling gold and vegetal border surrounds the romantic scene with a pair of cornucopias at the top, representing fruitfulness. Alternatively, the nacre shell sticks display Chinoiserie decoration of a copper pagoda motif, as well as geometric and floral imagery and blue glass beads. Size of fan: 14.75" L x 8.25" W (37.5 cm x 21 cm); of frame: 20.5" L x 13" W (52.1 cm x 33 cm)

Chinoiserie is a French term adopted in the 19th century to describe a fashionable European decorative style that imitated and combined stylistic elements of Chinese art and design with those of Western Europe.

Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982

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#179047

Set in modern custom frame with suspension wire on verso for display; fan has not been examined outside of frame. Missing some blue beads and tearing along some of the folds with small losses to pigments. Professional repair to 1 stick with break lines visible.