I have no reference to the maker of this beautiful fan, but the work that went into it is spectacular. Insets of silk with silk mesh surrounding them, all embroidered in gold metallic thread and sequined with a variety of iridescent sequins which echo the rainbow shimmer of the stunning mother of pearl monture. Bone ribs, no breaks, and the folded fan is 28.5cm. Very likely c.1875-80, owing to theme and length of the guards. So pretty, but fragile and has splits in the mesh. Perhaps one to put into a fan frame for display, and a little rice paper restoration work if one wishes.
Very good condition for age and type. The mother of pearl monture and bone ribs are all in excellent condition throughout and much of the leaf is as well, but the weak spots are where it has only the fragile silk mesh or netting. Some of those have splits, all visible in our photos. I think this is a fan best mounted in a beautiful fan frame, and perhaps then with rice paper restoration of the fragile open mesh, worked from the backside. It would just be stunning with all the rainbows of color it reflects. I've tried to show it well from all angles so you can evaluate. Isn't it a beauty!
