The Death of Malbrouk: A Late 18th Century Fan, the ivory monture plain save for some detail...

The Death of Malbrouk: A Late 18th Century Fan, the ivory monture plain save for some detail to the wider upper guards. The double leaf, seemingly paper to the recto embroidered with sequins, and fine gauze to the verso, has a central cartouche depicting Malbrouk (the French name for the Duke of Marlborough) lying in State, soldiers in red uniforms and plumed helmets present, one to the left holding aloft a pair of breeches, his companion a helmet, others with the Duke's sword. To the left, a vignette depicting a couple in fine 18th century costume, to the right a final vignette with the same lady leaning from a tower. Text in French in both vignettes explain that once the lady has seen Malbrouk ride off to war, she waits in her tower for his return. A page arrives to inform her of the death, and the full scenario is normally printed in French on the verso of the relevant fan. As it is not on the verso, an extract:

"While sitting quite forlorn in
That tower, she spies returning
A page clad in deep mourning,
With fainting steps and slow.

"O page, prithee come faster!
What news do you bring of your master?
I fear there is some disaster,
Your looks are so full of woe.

The story was initially told after the death of Malbrouk in 1722, but was revived into fashion as a song around 1780. Guard length 27.5cm