Vintage A. Rodien Folding Fan

I’m new to this forum and would appreciate any information or resource someone could provide me on a very well preserved A. Rodien Folding Fan. It is in the original box, Outer frame is mother of pearl with gold and silver inlays. There is a picture when unfolded of a winged female with four Cupid figures signed “Vanoni” I will try and post pics when I can figure out the process. If this is the wrong format or in the wrong place, I apologize. Thanks in advance!

 

Giovanni Antonio Vanoni (1810 - 1886) was a decorator-painter from Southern Switzerland. chapels, churches, wooden stables, houses - everything needed a bit of paint.
like many of the Ticinesi from the Alpine valleys he went to the cities of Northern Italy to earn more - the Ticino was an a bsolute poor house in his days.
after his return to the Ticino region with his wife - a cousin of his - and ten children - no televisione yet - there seems to be known one journey only to Paris in 1860 to show some of his children the city.
Adrien Rodien was a wellknown éventailliste (fanmaker) in Paris in the period.
it wasn't unusual in those days to work when travelling around, so the possibility exists that you have an ultra-rare one painted by Vanoni staying in Paris for a short time.

it should be looked at by a qualified specialist either in Paris - Drouot e.g. -or Switzerland - Christie's Geneva or Zurich.

 

soooo, leisurly strolling around in my underground library and having a look into Thieme/Becker.
there was a son of above mentioned Vanoni by the name of Serafino Vanoni (1851 - 1873) that died in Paris in an accident. seems to have been an artist as well. a new trace, who knows. was winning the competition for making the outfit of a museum. not clear though which one. some write "musée de la légion d'honneur".

 

Pictures of the fan I have questions about.

 

I am not well and shouldn't be doing this, but not replying is too frustrating. Your beautiful fan deserves some proper attention.

It is a quality fan from one of the main Paris fan 'houses', Maison Adrien J. Rodien. Maison Rodien were designers, manufacturers and retailers of fans, just like the world famous house of Duvelleroy.
Rodien fans were bought by/given to socialites and royalty.

Although you didn't mention the size (size matters in fans), it is safe to say that your fan dates from the late 1890s-early years of the 20th century. The metal loop, the angle of the open fan, and the style and subject of the painting are indications.
As you said, the guard sticks are mother of pearl with gold and silver decorations.
The frame itself looks like blonde horn to me, and it is also decorated with gold and silver.
The leaf is hand painted by or after Vanoni. Which Vanoni is not known to me at the moment, but it would have to be someone who lived at the time, because the sweet scene is typical of the period. Maybe a Vanoni worked for Rodien.
Regarding the lace, I wonder if it is related to 'point d'Argentan', or Argentan lace, but no doubt our lace specialist @Northern Lights Lodge will give you the right ID.

 

Some well-known Rodien fans:

https://www.rct.uk/collection/25043/lilies-fan

https://artsandculture.google.com/a...n-maker-h-poulin-lepidopterist/pwED54s57u4LZA

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/209670

 

Good morning! What a lovely way to wake up! That fan is just gorgeous! I believe the lace to be fine handmade Point de'Gaze.... beautifully worked! Thank you for sharing!
Cheerio Leslie

 

Welcome to ANTIQUERS, @Ricktionary, first of all! And I may know little more than what Any Jewelry just told us regarding fans, yours IS Stunning!! Best of luck with it!

 

Thank you for the information!, Is there a place somewhere besides Paris, Switzerland, Geneva that could appraise this for me?

 

I would appreciate any other information you would be willing to share

 

u wanna know how much this beauty could be worth on a good day in front of the right people ......
find an auction house that deals in such items ....

 

hey...who ya calling provincial ? ....

 

Although I personally have several Rodien and Duvelleroy fans, and have sold some in the past, I am not up to date with current sales.

Rodien is not a niche name, their fans are known and coveted throughout the fan world. Fan collecting is an international thing, where people are in touch worldwide, and values of fans are also international.
It is not the location of the people to ask, it is the expertise. For instance, a specialised auctioneer like Christie's will have an expert who knows Rodien fans and their value.
But if you prefer a French expert, I would suggest asking for an address on this French fan collector's site:
http://www.eventails.net/
You can contact them by clicking on the fan symbol which changes into an enveloppe. I am sure they will know who to contact.

 

I guess that would be the proud owner of several Rodien and Duvelleroy fans....

 

I'd stay with Paris as the first choice, but not knowing where
Ricktionary lives....
2. Zurich/Geneva
3. Northern Italy; Milano, Torino, Firenze
4. Germany. Cologne-Düsseldorf region, Baden-Baden, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich
5. L'Anse aux Meadows

 

Those are a “fer piece” from my neck of the woods in NE Ky

 

Check your inbox for fan-related info in the US. Inbox is top right on this page.

 

Welcome to Antiquers, @Ricktionary !

And @Any Jewelry , thanks for making the effort to reply. Continue taking care of yourself.