I found this and two other antique hand fans together, and might guess they were all once part of a Miss Fanny Allen's collection, to whom another of them was inscribed as a gift in 1872. I must say this large one is my favorite--Japanese I believe, hand-painted with this fabulous watchful, perched owl, silver moon behind it, and these two great frog standing on lily pads. And then on reverse, continuing the motif, flying frogs rendered as origami in dark green against a purple sky!
20" span when open, measured corner to corner. Closed it measures 12" t x 1/2" wide x 3/4" d. A little wear to the paper along the edges and a little minor staining and age toning, but looks great and really a fun one.
