the paper leaf painted with a pastoral landscape, a shepherdess intercepted by a fortune teller, the reverse with a child in the countryside, the ivory sticks pierced, carved, gilt and silvered with putti among trophies and neoclassical ornaments, each guard set with an articulated miniature, of a man playing a hunting horn and a woman holding a fan, in a later case

some expected tears and wear along edges and folds, a few with traces of reinforcement now gone, some silvered and gilt ornament tarnished and missing. catch for articulated portrait missing on each side.
"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."

The figure of the female fortune teller with her baby bound to her back is roughly based more on François Boucher's treatment of the subject than on Watteau's Diseuse d'Aventure. Prints of both works were widely circulated in Europe in the mid-eighteenth century.