The two, identically dressed archaeologists whose costumes were completed with architectural top hats and white curled beards were performed in the original production by Jazvinsky and Fedorow were among the guests at the ball.
Le Bal (The Ball), a modern ballet in one act and two scenes had sets and costumes designed Giorgio de Chirico, was created for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes at the Théâtre de Monte Carlo on 7 May 1929. The musical score was by Vittorio Rieti, the narrative by Boris Kochno, after a story by Count Vladimir Sologub, and it was choreographed in 1929 by George Balanchine. The costumes executed under the direction of Mme A. Youkine. The original ballet had 15 performances being presented only during the last season of Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Monte Carlo, Paris, Berlin and London where it was first performed on 26 July 1929 also at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.
Le Bal was and briefly revived by Colonel de Basil’s Ballet Russe at the Auditorium, Chicago on 8 March 1935 when it was re-choreographed by Léonide Massine. It was not a success when performed in the USA and London, even Massine was dissatisfied with his ballet. Balanchine’s production has been evoked in the staging using the original score and costumes for Rome Opera Ballet in 2005 staged by Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer. Interest in the ballet has largely been sustained because of de Chirico’s participation in the ballet.
An Archaeologist featured with a statue in de Chirico's illustration for the cover of the company's souvenir programme in 1929.