'Le Duc d'Autriche est Roi d'Espagne'. An ivory fan, Austrian and Chinese, circa 1703

the leaf, Austrian, painted with Charles, Archduke of Austria proclaimed King of Spain, and his suite, one courtier holding the double-headed eagle shield, a putto standing on a globe holding the Order of the Golden Fleece, another carrying the imperial crown, the allegorical figures of the Four Continents kneeling in homage, Victory blowing a trumpet with a banner inscribed 'Le Duc d'Autriche est Roi d'Espagne', the reverse painted with a profusion of flowers, the ivory sticks and guards, Chinese, painted with branches of prunus, the flowers applied with silvered spangles, in a brown leather case

Royal Fans, Harewood House, Yorkshire, 26 March to 22 June 1986 and 7 July to 29 September 1986.

nice painting and vibrant colours despite usual wear and tears along folds and edges, one long tear (7.5cm) along second fold to the right, another smaller one along second fold to the left. old patch of restoration along top edge in central section, the reverse with left over of all patches of restoration along folds but hasn't affected the beautiful painting. Leaf most likely cut off and refitted along left edge. Sticks with wear to gilt painting and silvered spangles missing.
"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 refers to the War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1714). This major European conflict was triggered by the death in 1700 of Charles II, the last Habsburg King of Spain to rule over a vast global empire. While Charles II had proclaimed Philip, Duke of Anjou, the second-eldest grandson of King Louis XIV of France, as his heir, the Holy Roman Empire claimed that the throne should be inherited by Charles, Archduke of Austria. When Philippe d'Anjou was crowned as King of Spain in November 1700, Charles was then crowned in Vienna, as Charles III in 1703, as in the scene depicted here. The war which then extended to other European countries, lasted 14 years at the end of which the Treaty of Utrecht was signed, establishing the Bourbon line on the Spanish Throne.