Folding fan of painted paper with original box and note

Accession number 90.51.14A-C

Unique identifier MN198430

Description A: Narrow paper leaf fan painted in gouache Recto: Fire-lit "fête galante" with dancing women and seated musicians, flanked by musical trophies at the corners. Verso: seated shepherd and shepherdess with gold stylized bouquets and border. Monture of carved and pierced mother-of-pearl with three vignettes of 18th century figures in bucolic settings, underlaid with paper-thin iridescent mother-of-pearl leaf; solid guards with silver-toned metal floral appliqué, inset with white paste stones and three glass turquoise cabochons; pierced silver metal ring; turquoise rivet stud; cream silk cord with gilt-metal tracery ball beads (one encasing faux pearl); turquoise silk tassel with silver and gold tinsel and lightening-bolt shaped paillettes. B: Gilt wood and composition box with hinged lid, with Rococo revival decoration consisting of foliate scrolls and flowers; faceted glass (crystal?) lid; fitted interior lined with ivory satin with compartments for fan and tassel; lock (no key). C: Handwritten note, ink on paper: This fan is the property of my / daughter Mary Mildred Baldwin / and was left to her by her step- / great-grandmother Sarah Maria / Floyd-Jones, second wife of Coleman / Williams, 15 West 22d. Street New / York City. It came originally from / Spain and was purchased in Cuba / by Mrs. C. P. Fischer at the request / of my father John Gaudy / Mary Mildred [...] / February 27th 1916 222 West 23d. St.

Dated 1835-1865

Object Type box (container), fan (costume accessory), note (document)

Medium bead (pierced object), cabochon (design motif), composition (material), glass (material), gouache (paint), ink, metal, mother of pearl, paillette, paper (fiber product), satin, silk (textile), stone (worked rock), tassel, tinsel, wood (plant material)

File dimensions 18.3 in × 13.1 in at 300dpi
46.5 cm × 33.4 cm at 300dpi