Hand-Painted Silk and Lace Fan, Early 20th Century

Details

Description

A charming hand-painted folding fan featuring a finely pleated silk leaf delicately bordered with an appliqué of peach-toned lace. At … Read more A charming hand-painted folding fan featuring a finely pleated silk leaf delicately bordered with an appliqué of peach-toned lace. At the center, a pastoral scene depicts a young maiden seated among reeds and cattails, holding garlands of flowers—rendered with soft, luminous brushwork characteristic of late-19th-century European decorative arts. The reverse reveals the same composition faintly visible through the silk. The guard sticks and monture are fashioned in gilt-painted wood, each rib decorated with a repeating motif of white foliate sprigs, adding refinement and visual rhythm to the structure. The fan terminates in a pierced metal loop with remnants of the original tassel. Condition: The leaf shows wear consistent with age: fraying and losses to the lace border, scattered small tears and thinning to the silk, and light overall discoloration. The monture remains structurally sound with gentle surface rubbing. Despite age-related imperfections, the fan retains strong decorative presence and period charm. A delightful survivor of Belle-Époque elegance, suitable for collectors of antique fans, period accessories, and decorative arts. See less