Master Art

Designed as a slender fluted stem upon a central oval supported by a sphinx on a square base, the stem supporting the adjustable quatrelobe shades set with engraved dark mauve glass, the oval section emitting straight arms from bacchus masks and supporting round candle sconces, draped wreaths hung below, the reverse of the oval inset with a light brown chalcedony panel, the whole decorated with anthemion honeysuckle motifs, foliate scrolls and set with turquoises, an openwork lyre surmount to the top with coloured pearl, the base raised on four paw feet, together with its original leather case stamped with a crowned N, indicating that it was purchased by Napoleon III.

Accompanied by a photocopy of the original design, which was first pubished in the German journal 'Die Gewerbehalle', this example taken from the American version: 'The Workshop', vol. III, no. II, New York 1875, p.172.
Exhibited in the Fan Museum, Greenwich 2011-2012
Weight: 1752g gross