Fan — Recovery of George III from Illness, Great Britain, 1789
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1789
Fan in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number T.203-1959), made in Great Britain, dated 1789. The museum's brief description reads: Fan 'Recovery of George III from Illness' made of paper painted with gouache, and carved and pierced ivory sticks and guards, Great Britain, 1789. Museum description: Fan made of paper painted with gouache, and carved and pierced ivory sticks and guards. Painted with a crown below which are a rose and thistle. Along the top edge, which is blue, is written 'Health is restored to ONE and happiness to Millions'. On two blue scrolls is also inscribed 'On the King's' and 'Happy Recovery'. Under the arm is the cypher 'G.R.' worked in sequins. Brass rivet, and mother-of-pearl washers. The museum records it as Gouache painted on paper, pleated, carved and pierced ivory, brass, mother-of-pearl, measuring Length 10.5 in. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Many 18th-century fans commemorated important events. They marked the births, marriages and deaths of well-known people, royal occasions or major social events. This fan celebrates George III's recovery from illness in 1789. The simple, emblematic design includes the rose and thistle, symbolising the Union of Scotland and England by Act of Parliament in 1707. Above are the words, 'Health is restored to ONE and happiness to Millions'. The fan may have been designed for ladies to carry at the great ball given at Court in 1789 to celebrate the king's recovery.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gouache painted on paper, pleated, carved and pierced ivory, brass, mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions
- Length 10.5 in
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gouache painted on paper, pleated, carved and pierced ivory, brass, mother-of-pearl
- Place recorded
- Great Britain
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'On the King's' and 'Happy Recovery'; 'Health is restored to ONE and happiness to Millions'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Fan
- Museum object number
- T.203-1959
- Museum system number
- O87225
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.