Fan — Australian Ballet Club, Australia, 1992
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1992
Fan in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number S.1502-21014), made in Australia, dated 1992. The museum's brief description reads: Commemorative fan issued by the Australian Ballet Club commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Australian Ballet. Issued as a souvenir at the London Coliseum Theatre for the gala performance of Coppélia in the presence of Diana, Princess of Wales, 7 July 1992. Hand-made paper on bamboo sticks…. Museum description: Fan comprising a leaf of cream hand-made paper on nine bamboo sticks and two guards, the leaf printed in blue ink: 'The Australian Ballet Celebrates 30 Years in the presence of H.R.H. The Princess of Wales London Coliseum, July 1st 1992 with Congratulations from The Australian Ballet Club'. The museum records it as Handmade paper on bamboo sticks and guards, measuring Width 36.5 cm; Height 23.0 cm; Height 22.9 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This fan was given to the special 'gala' guests of The Dancing Times at the opening night of the Australian Ballet's season at the London Coliseum on 7 July 1992. As part of the celebrations for their 30th anniversary the company toured to Nervi, Italy, 27th June - 1st July, where they performed Coppélia, Of Blessed Memory, and Aurora's Wedding, and to London, 7 - 18 July where they danced Coppélia, Catalyst, Giselle, Of Blessed Memory, Checkmate, and Gala Performance. On the opening night at the London Coliseum they performed Coppélia before Diana, Princess of Wales, and the dancers were presented to her after the performance. Souvenir fans were more often made in the 18th and 19th centuries to celebrate and commemorate a special occasion at the theatre such as a royal visit or a 'land-mark' performance of, perhaps, the 100th or 250th performance of a long-running production. They were presented to special guests or patrons of the most expensive parts of the house, just as these were in 1992.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- paper, bamboo, printing ink
- Dimensions
- Width 36.5 cm; Height 23.0 cm; Height 22.9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Handmade paper on bamboo sticks and guards
- Place recorded
- Australia
Identification
- Museum object name
- Fan
- Museum object number
- S.1502-21014
- Museum system number
- O1296159
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.