TWO FINELY PAINTED SILK FANS QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

one mounted on a wood handle, the fan face polychrome decorated on one side with a grid of floral sprays and the names of various species of flowers on the other side accompanied by a long inscription; the other mounted on an ivory handle with a green and orange tassel, painted en grisaille on one side with a central medallion enclosing a pagoda resting on a stone bridge encircled by European leafy floral scrolls, the reverse with floral roundels arranged in a circle around a plain oval roundel, all dispersed in a ground of loose flower heads and further floral sprays, with box containing papers, one inscribed 'Valentines Day, 1880, Peking'.

The wood-handled fan has light foxing and mould spots to the silk and minor loose threads to the brocaded border. On the side with the floral grid, there are minor fraying (0.5 x 0.5cm) to the top and a circa 14 x 2cm crescent-shaped area at the upper left corner which may have been caused by water damage. The ivory-handled fan has a circa 0.4 x 0.3cm area of loss to the top on the side painted with a pavillion and another circa 1.5 x 0.5cm area of loss to the brocade border near the point of attachment of the silk panel to the ivory handle. On the side with the floral roundels, there is a circa 0.5 x 0.3cm loss to the right border and another circa 10 x 1cm area of discoloured yellow along the top edge. The silk surface shows light foxing, minor mould spots and slight rubbing to the en grisaille design.
"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."