A REMARKABLE HANDMADE DIORAMA DEPICITNG THE RUSSIAN BALLET SWAN LAKE

A set of more than 150 figures and various stage pieces painstakingly hand-cut from card and wood and skilfully painted in gouache, together forming a beautiful rendering of the ballet Swan Lake. Each piece is mounted on original hidden pins, designed so that the set may be constructed on a board, and measure between 2 cm and 5 cm. Also included is an original photograph depicting the set fully laid out as a performance, presumably by its creator. The set is contained within a later decorated paper-covered box. Aside from the very occasional touch of minor wear the set remains in excellent condition, with no obvious losses or faults.

A most unusual early twentieth-century theatrical diorama, undeniably created as a labour of love, quite possibly by someone involved in theatre design. Indeed, the subtle differences between the expressions, positions and movements of seemingly similar figures certainly demonstrate an intimate understanding of ballet technique, indicating professional eye. Alongside the numerous male and female ballet dancers performing the roles of white, gold, and black swans, there are pieces depicting hunters with bows and arrows, an elaborate court scene with king and queen sitting on golden thrones, and a dramatic white swan in mid-flight, held aloft by two delicate threads. Together, the set creates a vibrant, colourful and dynamic rendering of one of the most popular ballets of all time.