The Unicorn and The Inscrutable Pussycat: An Ivory Fan, mid-18th century, the monture well carved and pierced. Both guards feature an eastern figure in the upper section, beneath which a panel of exquisitely painted flowers is enclosed by scrolling. The gorge features a central painted panel, featuring pagodas and figures, highlighted with iridescent paint or crushed shell. Mounted with a leaf painted recto/verso by the Dutch fan artist Aafke Brouwer in 1996. The recto features a unicorn pawing the ground as it is received in the grand salon of a Chinese Princess holding a fixed circular fan, a dignified cat making little of the bizarre scene. Initialled and dated '96 to the right corner. The verso, initialled and dated to the lower left corner, shows a confrontation between mythical birds, one perched on a bough, the other hovering with wings outstretched, beak ready to strike. This was based on wallpaper at Nostell Priory. Contained in a custom made fan box covered in cream cotton and lined in cream silk.
Guard length 11.5 inches or 29cm

Aafke was a FCI member, active in the 1990's, having studied for a degree in Art. Judith supported Aafke and bought many of her fans, more of which will be included in the Autumn Fan sale on October 11th. Other examples are on contemporary sticks. She focussed particularly on painting horses