Etherial, elegant, huge! This c.1890-1910 French hand fan is semi-transparent, that fine silk leaf with its painted flowers, embroidery, sequins and insets of lace. Impressive for its condition, its size (opens to 66 cm), and its visual richness while appearing so delicate. The maker's paper label remains inside the lid of the old box, which I'm sure is original (fan couldn't have fit perfectly, nor remained this finely preserved without it), and that maker is noted as "E Mary & Fils, 26, rue Chaptal, PARIS". Name appears from 1883, according to the firm's history.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. Really amazing to me that, while it has the longest most slender spines ever, and in wood, no less, not a single one is broken nor damaged. There are no shreds to the silk leaf, either. The beige of the silk, accented with a sequined bow and ribbon motif is just stunning with the pink of the monture. The guards and sticks have silver foil embossments, and even the old passementerie tassel remains in fine form. The old box ha really done it's job. This one has been a treasured fan!
