Formal Portraits: An 18th Century Ivory Fan, circa 1780, the monture pierced and carved and silvered in the "battoire" fashion. The upper guards are carved with a large figure. The gorge sticks are intricately carved with some worked in pairs. Others, singly, are carved with profiles near the shoulders, possibly wearing crowns. The central three sticks each feature a silvered figure, and others in pairs form large hearts. The double paper leaf is painted on an unusual background of light peach, several shades of blue for skies and water catching the eye. Centrally, a family have taken a stroll in a park, with a bridge behind them, a rowing boat passing under. The lady is seated and the young boy, dressed in yellow and blue, leans close to her as his dog jumps up, his father more occupied with offering flowers to his wife. The lady is finely dressed in a lilac gown with white petticoat, white lace at her neckline and elbow length sleeves. She holds a folding fan part- open in her right hand. The gentleman wears a short wig and a long blue jacket, over a waistcoat and breeches in strong pink. To the right of this scene is an oval portrait of a very similar lady, wearing a pink gown and white cap. To the left, an oval portrait of a gentleman in a similar wig wearing a dark green jacket and white necktie. To the extreme left, a couple attired in rich red and blue are relaxing in the countryside. To the far right, a solitary lady dressed in lilac reclines whilst reading a handwritten letter. The reserves are painted with elaborate swags of blue and pink flowers, and the top and bottom of the leaf are bordered in silver, some of the floral decoration meandering into this area. On the verso, a lady with a front lacing bodice and rather unusual hairstyle sits close to a river, accompanied by a small dog. Guard length 25.5cm
Provenance:Believed to be one of the fans from HRH The Duke of Connaught sale and bears a label noting this