As delicate as these 200 year old fans truly are, it seems miraculous that they survive at all, and this c. 1820-30 beauty is remarkably unscathed for its years. No, not perfect, but there are no breaks to the slender semi-translucent sticks, even retaining most of the round sequins set into them. The 21 cm long guards are in layers, bone with a veneer of mother of pearl in sections, open work and also gold and silver foil in carved incised ornament. Early French paste gems on both sides at the pin, perfectly preserved and set. Both leaves are paper or impossibly thin vellum. While they've been entirely hand painted, one can see that there is an intaglio or litho print to begin with (see the faint lac/ink which is overpainted). Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, remarkably well preserved considering fragile nature of a lady's hand fan. The thin folded foil 'ribbon' edging is complete and lovely, and there are no tears at the folds (perhaps some old restoration primarily on the backside). Beautifully painted, unsigned. I have it on good authority the abanico fan is either Spanish or possibly French. Note one loss is the last mother of pearl veneer piece to the wide top end of one of the 2 guards, marked for your review on the photos. Found in France.
