Pleated Fan (Spain), late 18th century

Pleated fan with double leaf. Both leaves are hand-colored paper with an equestrian statue of Portugual’s John I in the center, having at each side one of the “Four Parts of the Globe” allegorically represented as a woman with an attendant beast and appropriate scenic detail. Pierced ivory sticks inlaid steel piqués. Some careful repairs have been made to the edges of the paper leaf. Mother-of-pearl washer at rivet.