Not currently on display at the V&A

Othello

Wig
1964 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wig made from short black human hair on a mesh cap. The hairs have been individually hooked onto the netting. Interspersed throughout the black hair are grey and brown hairs to give a natural look. The cap is made from three different types of mesh: a soft caul net covering the crown of the head; a hard vegetable net around the circumference of the head, designed to keep the shape of the wig; and a soft nylon net for the hairline, the front, and behind the ears, dyed brown. Inside the cap are cross-springs covered in galloon tape stitched into the net, designed to hold the wig in place over the ears.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOthello (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Human crepe hair on mesh netting
Brief description
Wig, worn by Laurence Olivier as Othello, National Theatre at the Old Vic, 1964.
Physical description
Wig made from short black human hair on a mesh cap. The hairs have been individually hooked onto the netting. Interspersed throughout the black hair are grey and brown hairs to give a natural look. The cap is made from three different types of mesh: a soft caul net covering the crown of the head; a hard vegetable net around the circumference of the head, designed to keep the shape of the wig; and a soft nylon net for the hairline, the front, and behind the ears, dyed brown. Inside the cap are cross-springs covered in galloon tape stitched into the net, designed to hold the wig in place over the ears.
Dimensions
  • Circumference: 57.0cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Wig Creations Ltd'
Object history
Costumes purchased at the Royal National Theatre charity auction in 1996, or donated by the National Theatre prior to the auction: S.742 - S.810-1997, S.822 - S.824:2-1997. Associated production: Othello. Playwright: William Shakespeare. Designer: Jocelyn Herbert. Director: John Dexter. Wearer and actor: Laurence Olivier. Character: Othello. Performing company: National Theatre. Old Vic, London, 21.4.1964. Performance category: Drama. Costumes, jewellery, accessories and wigs for this production: S.781:1 - S.800-1997.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.798-1997

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 7, 2010
Record URL
Download as: JSON