18th C. French Rococo Painted Vellum & Ivory Hand Fan

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VARIETY Ancient, Ethno, Native American, Fine...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 15, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-06-15 10:00:00 2023-06-15 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : VARIETY Ancient, Ethno, Native American, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-ancient-ethno-native-american-fine-art-12990
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• Lot Description
  Western Europe, France, Rococo Period, ca. 18th century CE. A gorgeous gouache on vellum and ivory fan hand-painted with a dreamlike, pastoral scene in classic Rococo manner featuring 5 elegantly-dressed nobles lounging about in the countryside, all beautifully delineated in rich blues, yellows, pinks, and greens. Comprised of 16 ivory sticks adorned with what appears to be silvered decoration, the stunning fan shows a central female leaning on a tree with a male suitor on either side. Another man sits to the left side, holding a fishing pole and observing the trio at the center, while a lady sits to the right also watching the amorous moment as she sits by the waterside. The picturesque landscape is surrounded by a scrolling floral border. Size of fan: 18" W x 10.2" H (45.7 cm x 25.9 cm); of frame: 21.3" W x 14.5" H (54.1 cm x 36.8 cm)
  
  Note how this fantastical imagery accurately communicates the aristocracy's detachment from the realities of life experienced by all other sections of society, reflecting the omnipotence of the noble class that was prevalent in the decades leading up to the French Revolution.
  
  Considered the first golden age of the fan in Europe, the 18th century saw fans gradually transform from being a luxury only intended for ownership by the aristocracy to being an essential fashion accessory for virtually all classes. Many of surviving fans were wedding gifts to the bride and kept safe by the bride. Whilst the artistry of fan painting continues to flourish and copies of Master paintings remain popular, new types of fan emerge. They reflect the nuances and caprices of eighteenth century life, unfurling scenes of domesticity, romantic liaisons and even current affairs. These fans usually depict scenes of love, either famous historical weddings in the Baroque period, or arbor scenes with sacrifices to Hymen, the god of love, in the Rococo period. Typical French fan subjects of the time were pretty groups of lovers (as seen in this example), families, and shepherdesses.
  
  This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.
  
  Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #179064

  Condition

  Some tearing along folds on left side and losses to silvering in areas. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice preservation of pigments and detail. Set in modern wooden case with suspension wire on verso for display. Has not been examined outside of case.
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