Neck Chain
ca. 1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This neck chain with crucifix was worn on stage by Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905), one of the greatest actor-managers in the history of the British stage and the first actor ever to be awarded a knighthood. Born in Somerset as John Henry Brodribb, Irving began his professional acting career at the age of eighteen despite parental disapproval. In 1866, after working for ten years in the provinces, he came to the St James's Theatre in London as actor and stage manager. He joined the Lyceum Theatre company in 1871, and that November his triumphant performance as Mathias in The Bells won him universal acclaim. He assumed management of the Lyceum Theatre in 1878, beginning an association with the theatre that lasted for over twenty years.
Irving's productions at the Lyceum were famous for their scenic effects, visual spectacle and the care and expense lavished on the set and the costumes. This neck chain is surprisingly light, being carved from Irish bog oak, according to Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson, the great theatrical collectors who gave it to the donor who in turn presented it to the Theatre Museum.
Irving's productions at the Lyceum were famous for their scenic effects, visual spectacle and the care and expense lavished on the set and the costumes. This neck chain is surprisingly light, being carved from Irish bog oak, according to Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson, the great theatrical collectors who gave it to the donor who in turn presented it to the Theatre Museum.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood and cotton thread |
| Brief description | Neck chain and crucifix worn on stage by Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905). Carved from Irish bog oak. Given by Mary Miller. |
| Physical description | Wooden crucifix tied with black cotton thread to a long neck chain composed of alternate round and oval wooden links, the oval links being split to allow the round links to pass through. Given with 10 separate spare round links. Carved from Irish bog oak and stained black. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mary Miller |
| Association | |
| Summary | This neck chain with crucifix was worn on stage by Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905), one of the greatest actor-managers in the history of the British stage and the first actor ever to be awarded a knighthood. Born in Somerset as John Henry Brodribb, Irving began his professional acting career at the age of eighteen despite parental disapproval. In 1866, after working for ten years in the provinces, he came to the St James's Theatre in London as actor and stage manager. He joined the Lyceum Theatre company in 1871, and that November his triumphant performance as Mathias in The Bells won him universal acclaim. He assumed management of the Lyceum Theatre in 1878, beginning an association with the theatre that lasted for over twenty years. Irving's productions at the Lyceum were famous for their scenic effects, visual spectacle and the care and expense lavished on the set and the costumes. This neck chain is surprisingly light, being carved from Irish bog oak, according to Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson, the great theatrical collectors who gave it to the donor who in turn presented it to the Theatre Museum. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.61-2005 |
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| Record created | June 13, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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