French Hand-Painted Fan of Young Couple

A gorgeous hand-painted fan sitting in a half-round faceted frame depicts a courting scene of a young couple. An excellent example of the Belle Epoqué or “Beautiful Era,” period, which occurred from approximately 1871 to 1914.

The fan is secured inside a faceted gilt wood shadow box with a gold frame and green backdrop. The green backdrop creates a dramatic contrast, making the fan’s meticulous details stand out.

Exceptional, richly colored abalone make up the fan’s sticks and guards holding the piece together. Adding to the intricacy, engravings of flowers and baskets with bouquets adorn the fan’s guards. This was an incredibly difficult task to achieve due to the abalone’s delicate material. A small gem sits on the fan’s rivet, showing attention to detail in every part of the piece.

The fan’s imagery depicts a young couple relaxing in a garden. Sitting on a chair, the woman gazes fondly at her companion as he reads. Their lavish attire and luxurious setting suggest they were affluent members of society. The fan’s perimeter features foliage, fine scrollwork, and tiny iridescent discs and stars sewn into the leaves and folds. Each detail of the fan is an incredible testament to the era’s breathtaking artistry.

21″ High x 12″ Wide x 2″ Deep

Circa 1880