FOLDING FAN WITH DOUBLE LEAF,RECTO OF HAND-PAINTED CABRETILLE,VERSO OF SILK. THIS MASTERPIECE HAS BEEN HANDMADE AND SIGNED BY THE PAINTER GABRIELLE ZABOROWSKA (PARIS 1852 -VITRY SUR SEINE 1938), WHO KEPT THIS NAME AFTER HER MARRIAGE. PREVIOUSLY HER NAME WAS G. EYLE', AND WITH THIS NAME SHE SIGNED A LOT OF FANS WHEN SHE WAS WORKING FOR DUVELLEROY AND OTHER FAMOUS MAISONS. NEVERTHLESS, THE RARITY OF THIS EXEMPLE CONSISTS OF ITS FULLY SYMBOLIST STYLE, WHICH RECALLS SOME KLIMT INFLUENCES AND OF OTHER PAINTERS OF THE SAME SCHOOL. THE ZABOROWSKA'S MOST COMMON FANS HAVE BUCOLIC AND PASTICHE THEMES, ACCORDING TO THE FASHION AND TASTE OF THE LATE XIX CENTURY. THIS FAN WAS SURELY PAINTED ON COMMISSION FOR AN ENGAGEMENT OR LOVE DECLARATION, AND THE DEPICTED FEMALE FIGURE IS CERTAINLY A FAITHFUL PORTRAIT OF THE WOMAN WHO HAD TO RECEIVE IT FOR A GIFT. THE TOPIC OF THIS FAN IS A FAMOUS LEGEND, ALSO DESCRIBED ON THE "ALMANAC" OF I889: "THE THISTLE: IN ST. JOHN'S EVE A YOUNG WOMAN TEARS A THISTLE AND BURIES IT. AT THE DAWN OF THE DAY AFTER, SHE EXHUME IT AND LOOK IF THE FLOWER IS WHITE OR COLORED INSIDE. IF WHITE,NO HOPES. IF COLORED, BETTER IF VIVIDLY, SHE WILL GET MARRIED SOON". THE THISTLE IS THE SYMBOL OF THE BEAUTY PROTECTED BY THE STRENGHT, THE SYMBOL OF THE POWERFUL MALE ENERGY WHICH DEFENDS THE DELICATE FEMALE ENERGY. IT INSPIRES COURAGE AND IT'S SAID THAT IT ALLOWES TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU ARE LOVED BY SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T DARE TO REVEAL IT. 1897/99 CA. CM.25,6. MAX.SPREAD CM.48,6. STICKS 16+2