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Socialite Women of Stature Make A Political Statement
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The Jacobite Paper fan was an Artistic amalgamate of both religious and mythological depictions from Greek & Roman history. These Jacobite fans were an evocative object used by women who had no official political voice that was recognized by their male counterparts. This fan was a way of providing a “Signature Culture Item” to supportive Jacobite women who ceremoniously attended Court at the Palace at Holyroodhouse in 1745/6. We know that both Jacobite women in Scotland & English women in England sported them fashionably during notable social occasions, but more then likely would have stylishly used them during smaller private social events amongst themselves.
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The Jacobite Fan below is a depiction of Prince Edward Stuart surrounded by Roman and Greek mythological Gods and Goddess from the classical pantheon. In the center we have Prince Edward Stuart wearing his armor being accompanied by the Roman God of War Mars, and Minerva or Athena the Goddess of War. He is being crowned with an “Open Laurel Wreath” by one of the classical Gods who is also trumpeting his coming for vengeance against King George II of Hanover. This depiction is in essence a reflection of his Devine Right of Kings which is underpinned by the classical Roman and Greek higher deities. The fan properly illustrates his rightful authority to lead the Jacobite Revolutionaries against all the Gentry enemies who support the Hanoverian dynasty (and not just his soldiers). This illustration should be seen as a “future foretelling” of the Bonnie’s Restoration to the British throne, and the proper Restoration of the House of Stuart (which took a social and political divergence since the dethronement of King James II). In the top left portion we see an image of Zeus who is the Greek God of the sky and thunder with his accustom Eagle by his side. He is depicted as throwing a lightening bolt down upon two crouching figures who probably represent envy and discord. Supposedly, the people running away on the bottom left are suppose to be Hanoverian gentry or common supporters who know they are willfully going against the Devine Right of Kings, and will finally meet their reckoning.
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The Bonnie Prince Charlie / Charles Edward Stuart
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The Jacobite Folding Paper Fan of 1745/6
by
Robert J. Silverstein
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This fan was made by Sir Robert Strange in the 18th century as a Jacobite Culture art piece to give women a voice in politics. The paper is mounted on 21 Ivory hand-carved sticks, and it’s length is approximately 11.5 inches or 28.5 cm. The paper fan was first etched and then hand-colored afterward. Their is some historical fact that Jacobite fans and Margaret of Oliphant’s dress were adorned with Jacobite culture symbols at gallant balls held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after the battle of Prestonpans, in September 1745. Meaning, the Jacobite Revolutionary culture had firm roots existing from the previous uprisings from 1699 forward.
On the right of the Bonnie Prince is most likely Venus playing with Cupid’s Arrow. Then below is what I believe to be Britannia sitting in reposeful tranquility with a Union Flag Shield in representation of the two patron Saints St. John and St. Andrews.
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The Allegorical Depictions of the Heavenly Bonnie Prince Charlie
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What I find very noteworthy is how Sir Robert Strange subtly chose to depicts the snakes with the Anglo-Saxon Protestant resistance toward the Scottish Catholicism social plight of the era. One should take note to Medusa’s head on the shield which is the signature shield of the Bonnie Price, and then examine the Serpent Snakes wrapped around the arms and body of the common man. One is from Roman Mythology, and the other from the bounds of Religion upon the common man. This is what I believe would be a subtle illustration of the underlying theme to keep the Britain’s ruling Monarchy Protestant with the Hanoverian dynasty which was in accordance with the country’s religion.
The Evil Snake / Serpent Representation associated with Hanover
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Prince Edward Stuart in armor holding a Venetian Schiavona
flanked by the God of War Mars, and the Goddess of War Athena
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British Socialites also show political support for the Hanoverian Dynasty
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