Fashion — 1909-1915
Dress, performance costume dress
This elaborate Russian sarafan was made for Anna Pavlova for the pas-de-deux Russian Dance, performed to music by Tchaikovsky. The costume was designed by Ivan Bilibin in approximately 1909 and was made in Russia. Pavlova performed the divertissement during her first appearance in London in 1909 at a private party in Carlton House Terrace. She also wore the costume at a second in London party given by Lord and Lady Londesborough in presence of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
The costume is extremely heavy and must have been quite a challenge to dance in. The glass stones have been removed from the hem and replaced with coloured foil to alleviate some of the weight.
- Category:
- Fashion
- Object ID:
- 31.81/2a
- Object name:
- dress, performance costume dress
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Bilibin, Ivan, Manya, Madame?
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1909-1915
- Material:
silk, glass, metal
- Measurements/duration:
- L 1365 mm, W 1270 mm (at hem), W 900 mm (sleeves), W 1954 mm (sleeves outstretched), W 490 mm (chest), C 150 mm (collar), L 560 mm (inner sleeve), C 290 mm (cuff) (overall), L 1340 mm (overall), W 480 mm (armpit to armpit), W 1230 mm (hem) (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.