Artist: Unknown; Date(s): circa 1810; Classification(s): fans, bris? fan, piercing, sticks of pierced and carved bone, painted, lacquered and decorated with steel sequins and spangles; guards of carved and pierced bone, painted and decorated with sequins. Pale beige textile ribbon. Rivet and washer of tin.; Acquisition: bequeathed by Marlay, Charles Brinsley, 1912, C.B. Marlay Bequest [MAR.M.236-1912]
Description: sticks of pierced and carved bone, painted, lacquered and decorated with steel sequins and spangles; guards of carved and pierced bone, painted and decorated with sequins. Pale beige textile ribbon. Rivet and washer of tin. Front: the central medallion shows a couple in 18th century dress looking at cupid holding an arrow and a wreath. On the right, a man with a hat is watching them; the background is of arches, columns and trees. There is an inscription below the cartouche, with busts underneath: 'il seront a leur tours courone Par L'amour'. On each side there is a cartouche with a vase at the top flanked by putti shooting arrows with an oval medallion and scrolls below. One stick on either side is missing. The top of each stick is decorated in different ways. From left to right, a goose, a rat, a bearded head flanked by scrolls, a rat, a bird, a salamander, a bird, a man with beard in profile, a dove turning to the right, a dove turning to the left, a fish, a woman in profile, a salamander, a bird, a rat, a bearded head flanked by scrolls and a salamander. Back: Undecorated. Guards: both guards are decorated in a similar way. The fan used to have a quizzing glass set at the rivet but this has gone and a metal piece was inserted; a scrolling S-shape is followed by a spray of leaves, and oval cartouche and a standing Cupid holding a wreath.
