Untitled

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 491, 8 September 1882, Page 23

The sale of a collection of old fans, the production of such artists as Watteau, Boucher, Fragonard and others, took place on the 10th June. Amongst the highest priced fans, there were three which were the subject of keen competition, both on account of their own inherent value, and also of the highly interesting historical association! attaching to them. The bridal fan of the Duchess of Burgundy the mother of Louis XV.. was admitted by all to be the gem of the whole collection, and one of the most beautiful ever offered for sale in this countiy. It was painted on ivory by Watteau in his very best style, and represented the fetes which were given at the Palace at Versailles on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess This realised £82. Marie Leczineka's bridal fan, which was painted on skin by Boucher, and repr< senteJ Louis XV. and his bride decorating an altar of Hymen with roses, came next in point of interest, and sold for £75. Marie Antoinette's bridal fat., by Frago* naul, represented the hapless Que<;n in the act of signing her marriage contract, and realised £35 15s. The entire collection fetched as much as £2,408, being considerably more than it was offered at as one lot in the beginniog, and the largest sum ever gn en for a collection of fans.