'Harrison Walk, Bath'. A rare documentary ivory fan, attributed to Thomas Loggan, English, circa 1750

the leaf painted with a group of ladies and gentlemen surrounding Richard ‘Beau’ Nash who holds his trademark white tricorn hat, and promenading along the river at Harrison’s Walk in the spa town of Bath, including the painter Thomas Loggan himself, among chinoiserie flowers and grapevines, picked out in gold paint, the reverse painted with further chinoiserie flowers, plain guards, mother of pearl pivot

This fan is illustrated as part of an online database of documentary images of Bath (http://www.bathintime.co.uk/).

overall good condition despite usual wear and tear along folds and edges, some pin holes to leaf, especially to top ends, one patch of reinforcement to reverse in centre.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This fan depicts a rare view of Bath's first assembly house, called the Lower Assembly Hall. Erected in 1708, it was also known as ‘Harrison’s Rooms’ after its architect Thomas Harrison, and featured an open riverside walk along the Avon, which was only accessible by subscription and was beautifully lined with sycamore trees and gravelled. The project was initiated by Richard 'Beau' Nash (1674-1761), an illustrious figure of Bath Society, who was Master of Ceremonies for the town from 1704 until his death and largely responsible for the rise of the spa town as a fashionable resort. The building which was almost completely destroyed in a fire on 21 December 1820, was rebuilt to house the Bath Royal Literary Institution but finally demolished in 1933 as part of a road-widening scheme.

Thomas Loggan (1706-1780) was a celebrated painter who was first appointed dwarf to the Prince and Princess of Wales and then worked mainly in Turnbridge Wells, Kent as a fan painter and painter of nature views for visiting tourists.