Origin: FranceDate: ca. 1875-1885This large fan is made of white, carved mother of pearl sticks and a cream coloured paper leaf that imitates skin. The front is hand painted with a seated flower girl accompanied by six putti. The painting is signed L. FOURNIER who often painted in pastel tones (I know of at least 4 more examples painted by this artist, also in pastels). The artist is most likely Louis Édouard Fournier (1857-1917) who studied under Alexandre Cabanel. It is highly likely that Fournier painted fans while he was a student at the Beaux-Arts de Paris. The fan is backed with a champagne coloured satin.Length: 10.5″ (27 cm) Width: 20.25″ (51 cm)Condition: Reasonably good condition with wear and accidents on the leaf – unfortunately. a previous (perhaps the original) owner appears to spilled the contents of a perfume bottle over the right side of the leaf – there is still a strong perfume scent on the fan (see photos). The sticks are excellent.
