A Friendly Gesture: A Circa 1780's Mother-of-Pearl Fan, with sticks in the form known as "battoire". This monture is most heavily carved and gilded, with elaborate piercing to the gorge. Carved ovals of various sizes have been combined to present various male figures in 18th century dress, together with background lattice work and floral detail. The double paper leaf, presented in quite autumnal colours, in particular dark green, shows a couple and their son outside in the garden next to a simple table covered in a white cloth. They are joined by another man carrying a tall silver lidded tankard, presumably wishing to share a beverage with his friends. The lady in pink, her arm around her husband's shoulders, pushes an empty glass towards the new arrival. All are attired quite formally in 18th century dress, the men in long jackets and breeches, waistcoats and sashes, the boy in red. To the left, a lady plays outside with perhaps the same child, certainly wearing red, his mother this time dressed in blue. To the right, the child has changed to red breeches and a brown jacket with green waistcoat, the lady to blue and mauve and possibly doing some embroidery. The leaf is bordered in dark green, relieved in the reserves with garlands and groups of colourful flowers. Four classical oval vignettes, however, painted in near black, bring back some of the more formal feel to the leaf. The verso is lightened to the sides with large colourful flowers. To the centre, a lone gentleman has crossed water to an island and, next to some ruins, he raises his gun at birds flying overhead. Guard length 26cm. Together with an 18th century fabric covered box