Fan

Folding fans were costly luxury items which became popular throughout Europe. In mid-18th-century Paris there were 150 master fan makers working at one time. Paper, as well as scented skins, was used. The tortoiseshell sticks of this example are inlaid with tiny gold pins and strips (a technique called piqué), which was originally a speciality of Italian workshops. One side of this fan is painted with a woman fishing in elaborate Rococo dress. The other side shows the goddess Diana accompanied by three maidens.