Lot Essay
According to Jean Percival, who made the headdress in this lot, this was the second version of it. The first made by Dior, was apparently constructed from pieces of stitched leather and very heavy.
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Details
La Péri
Production: Première: February 15th, 1956, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Music: Paul Dukas
Choreography: Frederick Ashton
Design: André Levasseur
Character: La Péri
A costume, the short-sleeved leotard of tangerine jersey and net embroidered with scarlet and yellow faceted rhinestones and lavishly trimmed with gilt, scarlet, chocolate and yellow braid, cream and chocolate satin and gilt leather fronds, the neckline additionally decorated with a panel of fine tulle appliquéd with a flower motif of green chenille, gilt braid and rhinestones, the lower half of the outfit decorated at the front with three draped panels of orange, yellow and cream coloured chiffon, the reverse similarly decorated with scalloped edged panels of tangerine, saffron, cream and peach coloured chiffon attached to the lower back; a pair of flame-coloured fishnet tights embroidered with yellow and clear faceted rhinestones; a pair of matching cuffs encrusted with imitation pearls, rubies, yellow and simulated amber gemstones and lavishly embroidered with yellow, scarlet, bronze and gilt braid and thread; and a headdress of gilt, scarlet and black gauze braid and wire, the predominantly gilt decoration in the form of an exotic stylized bird, embroidered with rhinestones and imitation rubies; and corresponding black net head covering, decorated at each side with rhinestone, imitation ruby, and gilt braid ear ornaments; accompanied by two corresponding photographs by Houston Rogers of Fonteyn in the role, both -- 10x7¼in. (25.5x18.5cm.); and an amateur colour photograph of Fonteyn in the role, taking a curtain call -- 4¼x6¼in. (10.7x15.8cm.) incorporated into a Christmas card, inscribed to Margot and Tito from Fonteyn's aunt With a happy memory and love from mother and Auntie, Christmas, 1957 (8)
Production: Première: February 15th, 1956, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Music: Paul Dukas
Choreography: Frederick Ashton
Design: André Levasseur
Character: La Péri
A costume, the short-sleeved leotard of tangerine jersey and net embroidered with scarlet and yellow faceted rhinestones and lavishly trimmed with gilt, scarlet, chocolate and yellow braid, cream and chocolate satin and gilt leather fronds, the neckline additionally decorated with a panel of fine tulle appliquéd with a flower motif of green chenille, gilt braid and rhinestones, the lower half of the outfit decorated at the front with three draped panels of orange, yellow and cream coloured chiffon, the reverse similarly decorated with scalloped edged panels of tangerine, saffron, cream and peach coloured chiffon attached to the lower back; a pair of flame-coloured fishnet tights embroidered with yellow and clear faceted rhinestones; a pair of matching cuffs encrusted with imitation pearls, rubies, yellow and simulated amber gemstones and lavishly embroidered with yellow, scarlet, bronze and gilt braid and thread; and a headdress of gilt, scarlet and black gauze braid and wire, the predominantly gilt decoration in the form of an exotic stylized bird, embroidered with rhinestones and imitation rubies; and corresponding black net head covering, decorated at each side with rhinestone, imitation ruby, and gilt braid ear ornaments; accompanied by two corresponding photographs by Houston Rogers of Fonteyn in the role, both -- 10x7¼in. (25.5x18.5cm.); and an amateur colour photograph of Fonteyn in the role, taking a curtain call -- 4¼x6¼in. (10.7x15.8cm.) incorporated into a Christmas card, inscribed to Margot and Tito from Fonteyn's aunt With a happy memory and love from mother and Auntie, Christmas, 1957 (8)
Literature
MONEY, Keith Fonteyn - The Making Of A Legend, Zurich: William Collins Sons & Co Ltd, 1973, p.194 (illus.)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.