FRENCH FOLDING FAN WITH SILK DOUBLE LEAF. THE FRONT IS HAND-PAINTED WITH BURNING TORCHES TO CENTRE, SYMBOL OF  ETERNAL LOVE. ON THE BACK IS SIGNED AND DATED “E. TALMA DUCIS – 1829”. TALMA WAS SISTER OF THE FAMOUS ACTOR AND PLAYWRIGHT FARNCOIS-JOSEPH TALMA ( Paris 1763 – Paris 1826 )  AND WIFE OF THE FAMOUS  PAINTER JEAN-LOUIS DUCIS ( 1775 – 1847 ). BEING THE FAN OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF XVIII CENTURY, I DESUME THAT THE FAN ITSELF BELONGED TO TALMA'S MOTHER, AND THEN IT PASSSED TO HER. IVORY STICKS WITH GILT SILVER DAMASCENED. 1775/80