mother-of-pearl guard sticks with carved foliate details and engraved gilt-metal, painted copper and silver designs, European figures in the centre, the front-stick with encased small mirror and blue stone, the two-sided paper leaf painted with a scene in Turquerie style, depicting a Sultan and Sultana at a lavish garden party with musicians, servants and ladies in waiting, set on silk-backed mount, framed

In good overall condition, some of the mother-of-pearl sticks in sections (as can be seen by slightly varying tinge in mother-of-pearl), the gilt-metal with some oxidisation and resulting darkening, as with the silver, missing in some sections revealing engraved underside, for example, on front stick. The blue stone and white stone at front not tested, the paper section of fan fragile, with slight discoloration along vertical folds, carefully set onto mount and framed, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Turquerie is at best defined as a Europeanised variation on the array of art forms typical of the Ottoman world. Instead of providing mere copies of the supposed subject, it aimed to reflect the exotic cultural environment from which it was conceived. The theme gave a new sense of boundlessness, as artists were free to apply it to multiple facets of the arts including music, visual arts, architecture, and sculpture. Whilst its decorative and highly aesthetical motif, first and foremost, provided its owners with visual pleasure, it often possessed a more symbolic stature used to indicate a person’s wealth and social standing.