Dancing Figures
Figurine
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Representations of Greek dance in 18th and 19th century painting, sculpture, painted vases and reliefs were inspired by archaeological sources. Classical images were considered noble and had the added appeal of close-clinging draperies revealing the female figure. This porcelain figurine is one of a pair which were probably designed to stand together as a mantelpiece decoration, on either side of an imposing classically-inspired clock.
At the beginning of the 19th century the Greek and Roman 'Attitudes' or poses performed privately by Emma Hamilton (c.1765-1815), and other artistic representations of Greek dancers, gave an impetus to an already popular form of decoration and by the end of the 19th century serious investigation was being undertaken by Maurice Emmanuel and others into the reconstruction of Greek dance. The dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) would later become inspired by barefoot Greek dance and its revealing draperies.
At the beginning of the 19th century the Greek and Roman 'Attitudes' or poses performed privately by Emma Hamilton (c.1765-1815), and other artistic representations of Greek dancers, gave an impetus to an already popular form of decoration and by the end of the 19th century serious investigation was being undertaken by Maurice Emmanuel and others into the reconstruction of Greek dance. The dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) would later become inspired by barefoot Greek dance and its revealing draperies.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Dancing Figures (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain and gold enamel |
| Brief description | Dancing figures in Greek costume. Porcelain and gold enamel, 19th century, probably Continental |
| Physical description | Hard paste white porcelain figure group on integral oval four-footed base of two classically dressed, Greek-style female dancers. They wear flowing gold (gilt) Grecian draperies, one has a gold wreath of leaves on her head, the other has gold ribbons in her hair. The oval base is decorated with swagged, gilt garlands modelled in relief around the circumference. The dancers are facing front, the right hand figure stands with her weight on her left leg, her left hand on her hip and her right arm to the back of the second figure, who is poised on her left foot with her arms curved above her head, holding gold ribbons. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Cyril W. Beaumont Bequest |
| Object history | The figure came to the Museum as part of the Cyril Beaumont Bequest. |
| Summary | Representations of Greek dance in 18th and 19th century painting, sculpture, painted vases and reliefs were inspired by archaeological sources. Classical images were considered noble and had the added appeal of close-clinging draperies revealing the female figure. This porcelain figurine is one of a pair which were probably designed to stand together as a mantelpiece decoration, on either side of an imposing classically-inspired clock. At the beginning of the 19th century the Greek and Roman 'Attitudes' or poses performed privately by Emma Hamilton (c.1765-1815), and other artistic representations of Greek dancers, gave an impetus to an already popular form of decoration and by the end of the 19th century serious investigation was being undertaken by Maurice Emmanuel and others into the reconstruction of Greek dance. The dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) would later become inspired by barefoot Greek dance and its revealing draperies. |
| Associated object | S.871-1981 (Object) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.872-1981 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 22, 2001 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
