Costumed Teddy Bears
M. BUTTERFLY
- Item Number
- 105
- Opening Bid
- 500 USD
Item Description
M. BUTTERFLY
1988
SONG LILING
No expense was spared creating the original costumes for Song Liling, the infamous Chinese opera diva of "M. Butterfly" and our bear is just as extravagant taking over one full year and representing over 700 hours of work. Four completely hand-embroidered peacock images are displayed on the turquoise, silk jacket. The bird's feet rest on abstract cloud formations, which also appear on the hem of her pleated skirt and the peacock feather theme continues on her tiny collar. A long sleeved, white silk under garment flows from underneath the jacket. On her feet are black satin slippers, edged with gold trimming. The three-tiered, turquoise silk headdress stair steps upwards towards the back of the head. Gold cording outlines each tier. In front of the headdress, black satin simulates an abstract hairline, which is adorned with circular rings of pearls, a black jet in the center of each. Behind that is a headband composed of gold buttons intertwined with strings of pearls. Small circles of black jets with sprouting wired pearls cluster the three tiers. Fifteen tear-shaped structures spring out of the uppermost tier. These were made by wrapping each individual wire part around a clay form to get the shapes. The mesh is simply gold painted tulle, the center being a gold coin, topped with a tiny piece of sparkle sheer. The striking element that completes each is the green, cone-shaped paillette, finished with a tiny blue bead. Center back is a small, lilac "cap", edged in gold trim with a medallion of gold, blue beads and a single pearl. The hanging back piece with the butterfly motif was reconstructed from cut up metallic lace, painted blue. Each of the sixteen tassels was made by hand.
ORIGINAL COSTUME DESIGNER: EIKO ISHIOKA
BROADWAY BEAR CREATED BY: BRIONNA McMAHON
With special thanks to: friends at the Izquierdo Studio for encouragement (“You have got to be crazy!”), beads, pearls and many other odds and ends.
Signed by: B.D. Wong and John Lithgow
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