ca. 1830. Europe, probably Italy. paper/vellum double leaf. ivory sticks. folding, pleated fan.
In this Dantesque (Italian equivalent of the Gothic Revival) scene painted in gouche on paper, a young woman dressed in brilliant blue sits and reads a book or letter. Before her stands a man clad in a pale green tunic with a lace collar and an orange cape. He clasps a plumed black hat to his heart and reaches towards the woman with his left hand. His position, the color of her dress, the presence of the dog by her feet, and the three arches looking onto a verdant, landscaped garden and fountains are all elements replete with courting symbolism.
The verso, made of vellum, presents a small, stylized floral spray, painted in gold. Scrolled lines and dots, also in gold, border the edges.
The sticks are of ivory, shaped, carved, and pierced with five escutcheons -- two with trophies and three with stylized flowers. The gilt metal guards, with rounded shoulders, have openwork and are stamped to imitate granulation. The openwork is backed with red paper. (T.D.)
7. accession H.93.3 9XX
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