The dress and jacket were possibly made for Ysidra Fernandez for her 'Spanish dance' which formed a central part of the Jandaschewskys act. Ysidra was a serious Spanish dancer, formerly a member of Las Belles des Sevilles, and her costume was well made and traditional in form. The beads were made in Japan as indicted by the inscription on the back of the clasp (95/28/4-3)

Ysidra Fernandez (b 1881) joined the troupe in the 1890s and married Arthur in South Africa in 1904. Her act served as a serious counterpoint to the clowning and it appears she kept performing with the Jandaschewskys until at least the 1920s. By 1926, Arthur and Ysidra had opened a tea shop and confectioners around the corner from Newtown Station.

Ysidra Fernandez y Santos, the wife of Arthur Jandaschewsky, wore this for her performance of 'Spanish dance'. In February 1913, the Maryborough Chronicle described this act as 'A feature in this presentation is the introduction of a very charming Spanish dance, 'The gerez' by Miss Lolita, whose performance is distinctly graceful, and who gives a very dainty exposition of poetry in motion.' This act was performed in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
The Jandaschewsky family collection was kept together by the last remaining family member, Arthur 'Jandy' Jandaschewsky. During the last years of his life 'Jandy' sold the collection to his friend John Anastasiadis. Mr Anastasiadis kept the collection for a 25 year period, having built a repository for housing and exhibiting it at his own home. In 1994 he sold the collection to the MAAS in order to keep it together, and in New South Wales, according to 'Jandy's' wishes.

Costume, circus, Spanish dancer's dress with matching jacket and necklace, silk/lace/jet/glass/plastic, maker and place unknown/Japan, 1880-1930
Spanish dancer's dress consisting of dress and matching jacket, of red and black silk, trimmed with black lace and jet beads, with a necklace of black plastic imitation jet beads. This costume belonged to Ysidra Fernandez y Santos.
(-1) Jacket of red and black satin, with a fitted bodice, buttoned at centre front, bateau neckline, and short puff sleeves, trimmed with black, Spanish lace, and gold metallic thread.
(-2) Red satin dress, with fitted bodice, sleeveless with narrow shoulder straps and a square neckline, dropped waistline, with full, gathered skirt, trimmed with two tiers of black Spanish [Chantilly] lace, decorated with jet beads, black sequins and gold metallic thread.
(-3) Necklace, string of large, mutli-faceted, black plastic beads, resembling jet, one bead is smashed.

Made: Japan; 1880 - 1930


Used: Fernandez y Santos, Ysidra; Europe

Used: Fernandez y Santos, Ysidra; United States of America

Used: Fernandez y Santos, Ysidra; Australia

Used: Fernandez y Santos, Ysidra; Africa

Used: Fernandez y Santos, Ysidra; Asia

Owned: Jandaschewsky family;

see parts

95/28/4

1880 - 1930

520 mm