Homage to Cupid: An Unusual Mid-18th Century Fan, with a double paper leaf (or very thin skin) mounted on tortoiseshell sticks, depicting a classical garden scene with Cupid seated on a pedestal with his bow and arrow beneath, offerings of fruit being presented to him by several young ladies hoping to find true love. A vignette at each side of the main panel show various mythological beasts and fish. The sticks and guards are carved and decorated in symbols, hearts and numbers, such as "LC" or "100", "est un" a shoe, animals and birds, probably a cryptogram or period puzzle for young ladies. The leaf has a simple floral spray on the verso. Guard length 29cm. A blue stone completes the rivet

The Education Officer for the Fan Circle International has been able to decipher the puzzle. She suggests as follows:

Elle a mille baisers
C'est au pied de l'autel que les cÅ“urs sont couronnés
Elle sait ravir par sa beauté
C'est au pied de l'autel que les cœurs sans attache
Aiment, et j'ai cet espoir

She has 1000 kisses
At the foot of the altar, hearts are crowned
She ravishes by her beauty
At the foot of the altar, unattached hearts
Love, and I have this hope"

This then emphasises that the leaf and the monture have been made specially to complement each other, something not often found