£100
Opera Costume. A white beaded dress, c1900, mounted with a central panel and collar embroidered with seed beads and faux pearls in an elaborate geometric design, 128cm l
Provenance: The dress is known to have been worn by the English actress Isabel Jay (1879 - 1927) in her role as "Christine" in the musical Dear Little Denmark. Jay studied at the Royal Academy of Music becoming famous for her soprano performances in the Savoy Operas of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The vendor understands the dress to have a connection to this period in Jay's life, performing in the Gilbert & Sullivan operas. She later enjoyed a successful return to the West End before retiring at thirty-one. The dress is sold with an example of Jay in costume which can be seen in the collection at the National Portrait Gallery in a 1909 postcard titled 'Miss Isabel Jay as "Christine" in "Dear Little Denmark".
Discolouration throughout dress particularly under the arms, some minor loss of beading, silk lining partially shattered
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.8% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
30.6% inc VAT*
