Leaf: paper, leather, painting.
Frame: ivory, carving, gilding, silver plating.
The front of the leaf depicts four Cupids standing on a cloud: on the left a young woman with a dog is looking through a telescope at the clouds. Whilst the Cupid on her left has gathered a cloud in front of her so that she cannot see anything. The other three Cupids are engrossed in a game of badminton with children on the ground. Between Heaven and Earth lies play.
The reverse side of the leaf features the monogram “MR” formed from floral garlands and ribbons. The monogram matches the initials on the case, suggesting that this is the original case. Inside the case is a stamp from Parisian fan workshop Vanier Chardin.
Numerous symbols of love are carved onto the XVIIIth-centure frame: cupids with wreaths and burning torches, cupids sharpening their arrows and kissing doves. In the centre, a young man offers a young woman berries from a small bowl. Such an abundance of symbolic images of love suggests that this fan was a wedding gift.
