Images(2)

Fan Leaf

Date1791

OriginEngland, London

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsLength: 22" Width: 11 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2016-82

DescriptionUnmounted paper fan leaf shaped in a semicircle, printed in black on natural with questions and answers arranged in semicircles, intended as a novelty game or conversation starter and self named 'The Novelty'. Questions are on the left and answers on the right. A center circle is surrounded by foliage with bowknots above and below. The circle is filled with numbers in quadrants to be used as a key. The outer border is printed in a design imitating net lace.

Working from left to right outermost row in.
Row 1
Questions: Do you return love for love?/Do you like a red coat?/Do you esteem matrimony?/Is your heart preprofesed?/Do the sighs of love please you?/Do you love close conversation?/ Have you pity for those who love you?
Answers: That remains for you to know./ Yes in the midst of a wood./ Morning, noon and night./ It is an improper question./ What do you think of it?/ Infinitly on the enameled turf./ That really is my foible.

Row 2
Questions:Have you a tender heart?/ Do you love secrecy? Are you deeply in love?/ Is love your idol?/ Do you keep your word?/ Are you moderate in your wishes?
Answers: Sometimes./ Once a month./ That is best known to myself./ Pray excuse me./ A fine question indeed!/ You are very curious.

Row 3
Questions: Do you love to fondle?/ Are you inconstant?/ Do you love innocent pleasures?/ Are you kind?/ Do you love me?/ Do you love gallentry?
Answers: Could I live without it?/ Kiss me and I will tell you./ As opportunity occurs./ Every night going to bed./ Only every morning./ Why not?

Row 4
Questions: Do you love solitude?/ Do you love music?/ Are you capricious?/ Do you love dancing?/ Are you in love?
Answers: That is too much./ Yes./ Time will show./ A little./ No./
InscribedDate and printer printed into central motif: "Pubd as the Act directs May 16.1791 by Clarke and Simmons."
ProvenanceAcquired from Ginsburg & Levy, New York.