25th Jul, 2018 10:00 GMT/BST

Blackborne Collection - Part 2

 
Lot 326
 

326

The Alchemist: A Circa 1700 or Perhaps Earlier, possibly Dutch, (looking at the seated man's...

The Alchemist: A Circa 1700 or Perhaps Earlier, possibly Dutch, (looking at the seated man's hat) Slender Ivory Fan, painted in rich colours to the guards and gorge, with simple rural scenes and decorative designs highlighted in gold. The colourful double paper leaf shows an exterior scene, a man in black priest's robes and large hat, (a Jesuit?) reading from a book, in front of a table where objects, seemingly of metal, are being weighed on scales. To the left, a worker with a very large pestle and mortar. To the right, a worker sieves something into a black powder next to a metal apparatus over a flame, the latter being fanned with bellows by a man in Chinese robes, the final product flowing into black bottles through a tube. Turning base metal into gold? Making gunpowder, a bi-product of some Chinese experiments? The verso has a simple spray of painted flowers, in deep pink and yellows, roses and a tulip, with foliage. Guard length 25.5cm
Issue 92 of The Bulletin produced for members by the Fan Circle International carries an article, on pages 27 to 28, of an opinion on this fan by Mrs Hélène Alexander, MBE, FRSA, of the Fan Museum on Greenwich who viewed the fan during an exhibition of some of the collection in 2010

Sold for £1,200
Estimated at £1,000 - £3,000


 

The monture paint is rubbed in places. The leaf folds are rubbed and to the right, bottom border, a small section has lifted but is present. The first stick in from the left is stuck to the guard.

 


We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.

Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.

We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.

Auction: Blackborne Collection - Part 2, 25th Jul, 2018

Blackborne Collection - Part 2

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