The figure represents Leonide Massine as the Chinese Conjurer in his ballet "Parade" premiered by the Diaghilev Ballets Russes in 1917. Like the rest of the plywood figures in the series, it was probably made by the Aldon Studios for the dance historian, bookseller and publisher, Cyril Beaumont, for sale in his shop at 75, Charing Cross Road. The ballet was in the form of various 'acts' performed by travelling players as a 'taster' to the main show, including the Chinese Conjurer (performed by Massine), Acrobats and all presented by the three 'Managers' - two encased in 'Cubist' costumes the third on horseback. Cut off from his Russian roots and inspiration by the First World War, Diaghilev turned to the new artistic movements in Europe and commissioned designs from Picasso and a score from Erik Satie which included everyday sounds like typewriters, aeroplanes and hooters. It successfully enraged audiences by presenting the familiar (the pantomime horse) within the 'high art' setting of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes. The figure of the Chinese Conjurer, in his wonderfully simplified yet rich Picasso costume, became a symbol of the company, appearing on programmes and posters throughout the early 1920s.

Beaumont had admired Caran d'Ache's satirical wood carvings of political personalities, and, about 1914, he conceived the idea of two-dimensional wooden figures of principal dancers of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes. The figures represented the dancers in costume in a typical pose from the chosen work; they were cut out from two-ply wood, hand painted and mounted on detachable stands. Each design was limited to fifty copies, originally hand-coloured by the artist and issued at 7s 6d. They sold steadily. Adrian Allinson designed nineteen figures in all and after the War, Beaumont turned to other artists and commissioned a separate artist to execute the colouring.

The existence of such figures are a testimony to the popularity of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes in London, and a growing 'popular' audience who demanded memorabilia and souvenirs. As the only specialist bookseller and publisher in London, and with access to the dancers and company, Beaumont was quick to identify the market and he commissioned the figures, prints and illustrated books to fulful the demand.