Folding fan: MAR.M.239-1912

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

Folding fan
fan

Description

Folding fan, single leaf paper painted in bodycolour and watercolour sprinkled with tiny mother-of-pearl chips. Sticks pierced and painted ivory; guards of carved and painted ivory (18+2); rivet of brass; washer of mother-of-pearl. Front: Two cartouches on front leaf, the left showing the main scene, probably Flora being watched by a river god in a forest. Flora is sitting on the ground holding a flower garland, one end of which is held up by a figure with wings (probably an Horae). A similar creature is crowning Flora with a wreath of flowers. The river god, wearing a wreath of leaves, is lying on the ground on the left, leaning his arms on a jar with water coming out of it. He is holding a paddle in his left hand. The cartouche on the right shows five nymphs in the wood, pointing to the scene on the left. A black and gold ornament borders the cartouches; free spaces are powdered with mother-of-pearl chips. Flower pattern in pastel colours in the middle and at both sides of the cartouches and on top of the right cartouche. Back: river goddess with wreath of leaves sitting on a bank, leaning her right arm on a jar with water coming out of it and holding a paddle in her left hand. Forest in the background. Sprays of flowers flank the scene. a thin golden line borders the leaf. Sticks: The following pattern is repeated three times: first sticks shaped and painted like a column, the next two pierced and painted with grey scrolling ornaments; again a column and a pair of pierced and painted cut sticks with scrolling ornaments. Reverse undecorated. Guards: Both guards are carved and painted in a similar way: scrolling, carved ornament on the shoulder; guard proper with painted flowers on flat surface and carved pieces of flowers and shells.