Fan

In one large and many small irregular fields on a brown ground with gold grid patterns and scattered scarlet flowers can be seen a porcelain seller's shop and landscapes. The chinoiserie scene, finely drawn and with a number of figures, depicts an open shop, with blue porcelain vessels arranged on shelves and tables a vase is being shown to the customers. On the verso is an Oriental-style floral composition. The highly detailed geometrical chinoiserie pattern on the sticks and the Chinese figure standing among flowers on the upper part of each guard-stick exhibit kinship with the sticks of an English fan dated c. 1775 and held in a private collection. There is a similar piece in the Museum's collection: MAA inv. no. 4168 (Cat. No. 12). Earlier exhibited as Chinese work made to French order.