FRENCH OR ITALIAN FOLDING FAN. HAND-PAINTED DOUBLE LEAF, RECTO OF VERY THICK CABRETILLE, VERSO OF FILIGREE PAPER WITH TEXTILE FIBRES. ON THE PRINCIPAL LEAF THERE IS DEPICTED THE FAMOUS BIBLIC TOPIC "KING SOLOMON MEETS QUEEN OF SHEBA". ON VERSO THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ON HER KNEES. SHE HAS BEARD AND MOUSTACHE, ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND WHICH DESCRIBES HER COVERED WITH DOWN, AND THEN PARDONED BY A MIRACLE, BUT THE ICONOGRAPHY ALSO REFERS TO THE NUMEROUS PAINTINGS ABOUT "ESTHER AND ASSUERO" ESPECIALLY THE FRANS FRANCKEN ONE. PIERCED AND CARVED IVORY STICKS. FIRST HALF XVII CENTURY. CM 28. MAX SPREAD CM. 40. STICKS 18+2