An Unusual French Revolutionary Period Riddle Fan, the monture of...
Lot Description:
An Unusual French Revolutionary Period Riddle Fan, the monture of bone, with some light carving and painting to the upper guards. The double paper leaf, hand coloured, shows two couples in extravagant 18th century dress, the ladies appearing to be beseeching the gentleman to share their affections. Cupid floats on a cloud between them, holding both a flaming torch and his bow and arrow, tokens of Love. To each side the leaf features a vignette containing symbols, enclosed in green and pink draperies. The left section contains the word "DE" in capitals, with a yellow pitcher, a spray of flowers, and, possibly, a heart. To the right, the word "VOEUX" (wishes), a standard bush, and a yellow crown. Both sections contain what could be a letter "L". Thus, this is an example of a riddle fan, the sounds when the symbols are spoken aloud giving the meanings. From the left, "Elle possède mon Coeur" from L (elle) po (dessin d'un pot) + ssè (dessin d'un "cep" - de vigne) + de + mon (dessin d'un mont) + c ur (dessin d'un c ur), and to the right, "elle couronne mes v ux " from L + couronne + mes (dessin d'un arbre de mai) + v ux. The leaf is bordered with gold and a subtle ruby. The verso is plain. Guard length 10.75 inches or 27.5cm.
Infinite thanks to Ondine P-P and Georgina L-B of the Circle de l'Eventail, Paris, for their invaluable assistance with this puzzle.
Condition Report:
. In generally good order and strong. When closed, the sticks in the gorge centre are seen to be bowed. Both guards have a crack near the top but there is no obvious repair. The leaf has light foxing to the verso and one or two folds may have been re-secured.
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Lot Description:
An Unusual French Revolutionary Period Riddle Fan, the monture of bone, with some light carving and painting to the upper guards. The double paper leaf, hand coloured, shows two couples in extravagant 18th century dress, the ladies appearing to be beseeching the gentleman to share their affections. Cupid floats on a cloud between them, holding both a flaming torch and his bow and arrow, tokens of Love. To each side the leaf features a vignette containing symbols, enclosed in green and pink draperies. The left section contains the word "DE" in capitals, with a yellow pitcher, a spray of flowers, and, possibly, a heart. To the right, the word "VOEUX" (wishes), a standard bush, and a yellow crown. Both sections contain what could be a letter "L". Thus, this is an example of a riddle fan, the sounds when the symbols are spoken aloud giving the meanings. From the left, "Elle possède mon Coeur" from L (elle) po (dessin d'un pot) + ssè (dessin d'un "cep" - de vigne) + de + mon (dessin d'un mont) + c ur (dessin d'un c ur), and to the right, "elle couronne mes v ux " from L + couronne + mes (dessin d'un arbre de mai) + v ux. The leaf is bordered with gold and a subtle ruby. The verso is plain. Guard length 10.75 inches or 27.5cm.
Infinite thanks to Ondine P-P and Georgina L-B of the Circle de l'Eventail, Paris, for their invaluable assistance with this puzzle.
Condition Report:
. In generally good order and strong. When closed, the sticks in the gorge centre are seen to be bowed. Both guards have a crack near the top but there is no obvious repair. The leaf has light foxing to the verso and one or two folds may have been re-secured.
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Time, Location
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