Paper fan, England, 1715-1730

The leaf is of paper painted, rather stiffly in a dark-toned gouache, with a brown and green ground. On the left is an oak with a head, wearing a wig, among the leaves surrounded by three crowns (the English Jacobite symbol derived from Charles II concealment in the oak following the Battle of Worcester).

Left of centre is a crowned, semi-classical figure in a dark blue dress with a scarlet and ermine robe, holding a palm within three clouds. Central is a left-facing, mourning female, black clad, seated by a pedestal on which are placed crown, sceptre and orb. Upper right is an armorial shield quartered with English, Scottish and French arms. A white, full, blarn rose with two buds is painted to the right. On the reverse is a stiffly naturalistic floral spray on a faintly silver painted ground.

The sticks and guards are of plain ivory, the pin is of white metal with a mother of pearl washer and the two leaves are bound together at the edge of the gilt paper band. This fan's decoration symbolises Jacobite support for the Stuart royal family after George I, Elector of Hanover, succeeded to the British throne in 1714.