Point shoe worn by Vera Nemchinova. Signed and inscribed to Cyril Beaumont. 1920s.

Pink satin point shoe, darned, with ribbons attached and a short elastic addition across the vamp. Size 32 with scored sole, made by Nicolini. Inscribed on inner sole: "Vera Nemchinova / pour C. W. Beaumont"

Cyril W. Beaumont Bequest

One of a collection of signed ballet shoes given by various dancers to the dance critic and historian Cyril Beaumont.
The shoe was worn by Vera Nemchinova, who danced with the Diaghilev Ballets Russes from 1915, becoming a principal dancer 1924. The shoe and signature probably date from the mid 1920s.
The soles of ballet shoes were often scored, either by the manufacturer or the dancers, to give improved grip on stage.
The shoe came to the Museum as part of the Cyril Beaumont Bequest.

Historical significance: An example of an Italian ballet shoe of the first quarter of the 20th century. Ballet shoes made in different countries are indicative of the different needs of the dancers and the choreography of the time.
The ballet shoe is the most personal of dance aretfacts, as each dancer is responsible for darning and stitching on the ribbons to suit her own personal preferences and each dancer 'wears' out the shoe in a different way, according to her physique and the role. The dancer darning shoes is a potent image in 20th century dance iconography, a symbol of at once her drugery and humility.
A shoe worn by a great dancer in a particular role on a certain night (such as a premiere) and signed, dated, and dedicated to the recepient, implying that the recepient was with the dancer at the time, attains almost iconic significance for balletomanes.

S.795-1981