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| Baton Fan with Blackamoor Finials French Leaf with German Stick and Guards, 1750 Given to Queen Victoria from Prince Albert, 1840 The Royal Collection |
Of the four, one is especially interesting. This unusual fan is called a “baton fan” because, when closed, it takes on a cylindrical shape as opposed to the flatter shape of most fans. The sticks and guards are German in origin. Created in 1750, the fan guards end in delicately carved, Moorish-inspred, figural heads—each with carefully pierced ears from which gold earrings hang. The fan leaf was painted in France and depicts a romantic, courting scene which the prince found especially appropriate for the occasion.
1 comment:
Calling this one of "four beautiful old fans" is not doing it justice. I can see why Albert's family collected these pieces. In particular, this one has a 'Germanic feel' - the gilding on the sticks is reminiscent of at least one Rococco palace in the Germanies.
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