Theatre Costume
1910 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
Costume worn by a knight in Mikhail Fokine's ballet The Firebird (L'oiseau de feu), 1910. These costumes can be seen showing the knights paired with the brides in photographs from the 1930s but they are not the costumes originally worn by the knights.
The Firebird was both Igor Stravinsky’s first ballet and his first international success. Designed by Alexander Golovine (1863-1930), it drew visual influence from Russian folk heritage. This knight only appeared in the final scene, and the performer was not expected to perform virtuoso steps. The tunic’s wired shape reflects the fashion of the time, epitomised in the 'lampshade' designs of Paul Poiret.
The Firebird was both Igor Stravinsky’s first ballet and his first international success. Designed by Alexander Golovine (1863-1930), it drew visual influence from Russian folk heritage. This knight only appeared in the final scene, and the performer was not expected to perform virtuoso steps. The tunic’s wired shape reflects the fashion of the time, epitomised in the 'lampshade' designs of Paul Poiret.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Materials and techniques | Cotton canvas, paint, silk, metal thread, iron hoop |
| Brief description | Costume for a knight in Fokine's ballet The Firebird (L'oiseau de feu), 1910, designed by Alexander Golovine. |
| Physical description | Two tiered, white cotton tunic, patterned with vertical bands of spirals, spots and lozenges painted in light blue, gold and black. The front of the bodice is trimmed with six gold tassels and braid and the stand-up collar is red dots on gold. The full sleeves end with extended cuffs. The hems of the skirt are threaded with iron hoops to define the shape of the costume. Around the waist is a wide cotton sash with two floating side panels decorate with stripes of blue, black and white with further decoration of dots and black zigzags. The high pink hat is missing. |
| Summary | Costume worn by a knight in Mikhail Fokine's ballet The Firebird (L'oiseau de feu), 1910. These costumes can be seen showing the knights paired with the brides in photographs from the 1930s but they are not the costumes originally worn by the knights. The Firebird was both Igor Stravinsky’s first ballet and his first international success. Designed by Alexander Golovine (1863-1930), it drew visual influence from Russian folk heritage. This knight only appeared in the final scene, and the performer was not expected to perform virtuoso steps. The tunic’s wired shape reflects the fashion of the time, epitomised in the 'lampshade' designs of Paul Poiret. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.5321:1 to 2 -2009 |
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| Record created | February 19, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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