China, erotic fan, 19th century.

Rare Chinese fan with an erotic subject. It shows two couples embracing in a garden decorated with a pierced rock. The one on the right is lying under a mat placed under a willow, the one on the left is sitting on an armchair under a banana tree and is accompanied by a servant.

This is probably an illustration from Jin Ping Mei, the greatest Chinese erotic novel.

Inks and pigments on paper, bone and palm mount, original rivet.

Former G.Lévy collection

29x 47x 2 cm open

Exhibited at the Fan Museum in London in July 2019.

Published in the exhibition catalog.