Pleated Fan, 18th century

Pleated fan. Parchment leaf painted in gouache. Obverse: a classical Roman scene set in the Roman forum. In the foreground, a man (Marcus) points out a maiden (Virginia), accompanied by her nurse, to three judges (Appius and his colleagues). An agitated figure in shadow possibly represents her father hastening to her. Reverse: floral border around classical landscape with a pointing man and seated woman. Mother-of-pearl sticks, carved and pierced with garlands, and urns overlaid with gold and silver foil. Guards with design of two amorini youth, a youth with lyre and garlands. Rivet is set with a faceted green translucent stone.