From that big crate of antique fans I've added to over decades and only recently began to sort and work through - An exceptional c.1810-25 French Empire hand fan, 19cm long when closed, made of horn and entirely hand decorated in thick gold enamel. The decoration is superb and has the rare scene of a river boat or dirge carrying what appears to be painted face African chiefs. Exotic birds and palm trees flank the river scene, and gorgeous flowers adorn the ends of the horn sticks. Themes of exotic cultures that became style and fashion during and shortly after the Napoleonic era, the expansion of the French Empire. Semi-transparent, you can actually see through this one quite well.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, with only the very tip of a couple of the sticks lost to time. No breaks to any of the sticks. I think it's the original ribbon, a faded purple silk, and no breaks in that either. Photos show all, including that I'm leaving it to the next owner to clean or not. I'm not taking the chance of disrupting any of that thick impasto gold enamel work.
