Probably made in Australia

The Anthony Hordern's label on the skeleton costume dates this collection to post 1900. By the early 1900s elaborate tableau vivant were fading in popularity making it unlikely the act was performed after 1914.

These costumes were worn in the tableau vivant (living picture) 'Louis XVI' performed by the Jandaschewskys. One of the family would dress as Louis XVI wearing one of these costumes. He would then be guillotined, shocking the audience when he was 'decapitated'. However a dummy dressed identically, with a detachable papier mache head (95/28/59), would have been substituted, and decapitated in his place. No reference could be found in advertisements or posters to this act and it would appear that it was specifically Australian. By the early 1900s however tableau vivants were losing their popularity and it would have been highly unfashionable by 1914.
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.

Costumes (2), circus, men's 'Louis XVI' suits, velvet/satin/metallic thread/leather, Australia, 1900-1914.
Two identical 'Louis XVI' costumes, each consisting of lace trimmed maroon velvet jacket, matching breeches and a leather belt featuring a Marie Antoinette cameo buckle. One suit was worn by the performer and the other by a dummy dressed to look like him.
(-1) Performer's jacket, short maroon velvet, single-breasted jacket, with hook fastenings at front, trimmed with coarse machine lace at collar and cuffs, and decorated all over with puffs of turquoise satin.
(-2) Performer's breeches, maroon velvet pants finishing just below the knees, button fly fastening, with buttons at front and back of waist for attaching braces, trimmed with coarse machine lace at cuffs.
(-3) Performer's belt, brown leather belt, featuring a Marie Antoinette cameo buckle.
(-4) Dummy's jacket (as -1).
(-5) Dummy's breeches (as -2).
(-6) Dummy's belt (as -3).

Made: Jandaschewsky family; Australia; 1900 - 1914


Used: Jandaschewsky family; Australia

Used: Jandaschewsky, Arthur 'Jandy'; Australia

Owned: Jandaschewsky family;

Owned: Jandaschewsky, Arthur 'Jandy';

Owned: Anastasiadis, John;

see parts

95/28/6

1900 - 1914

590 mm