Judgement of Paris

Fan with ivory sticks attributed to Mariaval Le Jeune. Partly stained green and red alternately, the sticks are decorated with amorous symbols and inscriptions such as "j'ai perdu ma liberté; la fuite est vaine; il n'y a place que pour vous" (I have lost my freedom; Escape is futile; There is only a place for you).

The single vellum leaf is painted on the recto with The Judgement of Paris, a contest between three goddesses – Venus, Juno & Minerva. Paris awarded the prize of a golden apple to Venus, who in return gifted him Helen of Troy, wife of the Spartan King Menelaus.

Although the leaf dates from end of the 17th century, the fan was probably assembled sometime after (objects in other museum collections attributed to Mariaval Le Jeune date circa 1720-1740s).