Fans - Hand Screens (pair Of) Silk Embroidered Epoque Late 19th S.

Interesting pair of Napoleon III hand screens with an L XVI style decor embroidered on old gold colored silk. The two main faces are decorated with a traditional floral basket suspended by a ribbon knot, surrounded by an elegant embroidered cartridge of brown color. The colors are still fresh, the edge is protected by a small ribbon of old gold paper. The screens are fixed by 2 small screws of origin in the shape of flower. So it was easy to switch screens keeping the same stick. Elegants could then wish to change color, subjects sometimes according to the seasons or simply their mood. The sleeves are made of light wood and richly carved with some highlights of remaining golden paint. The other 2 side faces are plain silk. Note: spots on the screens (more present on one of the two) and 4 small holes near a fixation (visible on photos) nevertheless the embroidery is complete and the whole remains very acceptable. It should be known that this type of screen, a legacy of ancient civilizations were as much to fan, as to hunt flies or to protect themselves from the fire of a fireplace, not retractable they remained rather in the cozy universe of the apartments . On this subject a very interesting research to read: the work of Nathalie Rizzoni: "The hand screens and the fan". Free delivery for metropolitan France.