KIGU ballerina The Hungarian connection

Transcription

1 KIGU ballerina The Hungarian connection Readers of Face Facts will have seen my previous features about the Stratton ballet range. Ballet was such a popular subject matter in the 1950s that most collectors have seen compacts by other manufacturers featuring ballerinas. Kigu was another big name company of the post war era, which used transfer-prints and marcasite motifs of dancers on its compacts. The Kigu website indicates that the company took its name from transposing the first two letters of the name of its Hungarian founder, Gustav Kiaschek. Gustav had a powder compact business in Budapest before the Second World War, which was continued in England by his sons George and Paul after the war. After George s death in 1977, the business was carried on until the early 1980s by his son David, who is webmaster of the wonderful Kigu website. I hope you will enjoy these Kigu ballet compacts from my collection, together with a little story on finding a Hungarian ballerina s portrait decorating a compact with such famously Hungarian origins. Kigu ballet compacts from the 1950s are hard to find these days and are usually relatively expensive. Any Kigu collector will know the company s distinctive, heart-shaped Cherie, first made in the early 1950s. Various silver-coloured, marcasite studded motifs were used on the lid, but for ballet fans Kigu placed a little ballerina against a black enamelled background. This ballerina motif appeared on a scalloped-edged musical box and a tortoise-shell plastic compact, which I have yet to add to my collection A later, silver-plated convertible compact features a pretty transfer-printed ballet scene, with the effect of engraving on silver. I do particularly like the neat 73mm/ 2⅞ in. size of two of my Kigu ballet compacts. One is a satin-gilt compact, which was also available in deep blue enamel, and the other has a translucent enamel background. Against this pastel green and gold sheen, Kigu chose an image from the ballet Pas de Quatre set against a background of trees as in a stage set. It is taken from an old lithograph by A.E. Chalon of the 1845 performance of this short ballet. I love to find out more about my compacts, as they take me back to performers I have seen or cause me to find out about dancers and ballets from the 1950s, but I do not recognise the dancers posed against my compact with pink translucent enamel. The whole effect is charming, but these dancers legs make me think that this is an artist s impression of ballet dancers rather than a photograph of actual dancers! However, when I saw a beautiful translucent, bronze compact at our Convention in Ipswich, I felt that this must be a portrait of an actual dancer. There was just something about her legs and pose that said ballerina to me! I am so pleased now to have this compact in my collection, as on closer inspection, tiny block letters on the lower edge read Norah Kovach in Don Quixote. Although the compact spells her name as Norah Kovach, it is usually spelt Nora. Nora was a Hungarian ballerina married to another Hungarian dancer Istvan Rabovsky. In the immediate post-war years they were among the first Hungarian dancers to be sent to study in the Soviet Union, after being spotted in Budapest by the great Russian ballerina Ulanova. This was at the time when Hungary was regarded as a satellite of the U.S.S.R. They caused a sensation in May 1953, when they defected to the west while in Berlin, in much the way that Rudolf Nureyev was to do while in Paris eight years later. Their dramatic move from behind the Iron Curtain is told in Leap through the Curtain by George Mikes, published in After reading their story, I began to wonder if members of the Kiashek family ever met these other celebrated Hungarians and I am most grateful to Mrs. Irene Kiashek for the invaluable help she has given me in my search to find out more. Mr. and Mrs. Kiashek were very good friends with Nora and much of the work undertaken by Nora and George Mikes on her autobiography took place in the Kiashek family s garden. Their friendship was the reason for presenting her portrait on a compact and as far as Irene can recall, this was the only portrait of a dancer used on a Kigu. They selected a picture by the Madrid photographer Juan Gyenes, which is also reproduced in George Mikes book. I am only sorry that my photo does not do justice to the attractive bronze finish of this compact, with its subtle shading of trees and scenery. Both Nora and Istvan s lives together seemed destined for drama as in 1956 they survived a collision at sea while on board the liner Andrea Doria, simply because they had changed cabins to economise on the fare. Both dancers appeared in London with the Festival Ballet and toured Europe and Australia, but made their later career in the U.S. Nora s portrait on this stylish Kigu compact evokes the glamour of the 1950s, which we collectors so much enjoy, yet her story reminds us that these were the chill times of the Cold War. Istvan wrote of their leap through the curtain I used to live in darkness and now I live in the light. Powder compacts are so often an exercise in nostalgia, but can lead us along many different paths of enquiry and invite us to tease out the stories they have to tell.

2 Kigu ballet. Transfer printed portrait of the dancer Nora Kovach against a shaded bronze background with tree branches, as in a stage set. Small block letters on lower edge read Norah Kovach in Don Quixote. N.b. Her name is usually spelt Nora. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Framed mirror. Textured rippleeffect base. Used sifter, but no puff. Kigu 70 Series. Ref listed in Kigu pricelists for 1956, 57 & 58. Kigu ballet. Transfer printed portrait of the dancer Nora Kovach against a satin finished gold-tone background with tree branches, as in a stage set. Small block letters on lower edge read Norah Kovach in Don Quixote. n.b. Her name is usually spelt Nora. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Framed mirror. Textured ripple-effect base. No sifter or no puff. Kigu 70 Series. Ref listed in Kigu pricelists for 1956, 57 & 58. Kigu ballet. Transfer printed ballet dancers in a pose from the Pas de Quatre against a background of trees as in a stage set. This pose has been recreated for photographs, but was originally captured in a lithograph by A.E. Chalon of the 1845 performance of this divertissement. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Pink puff with trademark stamped in gold. Framed mirror. Textured ripple-effect base. White sifter. 73mm/2⅞ in. Beige suedette pouch. Box printed with trademark and Compacts of character and Kigu Cat. No on side. The following info. from David Kiashek: This is the 52-T739 compact Pas de Quatre found in Kigu 1957 and 58 catalogues Kigu ballet. Large bright gold-tone compact with Pas de Quatre pose embossed into the metal, so that they are in relief. Engine-turned circular pattern on inner lid with Kigu trademark. Framed mirror. Engraved on the interior of inner lid with initials FEW. No sifter or puff. Made in England stamped in the powder well. 90mm/3½ in.

3 Kigu ballet. Transfer printed ballet dancers against a background of trees with pink tones as in a stage set. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Framed mirror. Textured ripple-effect base. No sifter or puff. 76mm/3in. This is the larger 70-series Ref. 70-T849 77mm 3⅛ in. dia. from Kigu 1958 catalogue Kigu ballet. Transfer printed ballet dancers on satin gilt lid. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Pink puff with trademark stamped in gold. Framed mirror. Textured ripple-effect base. White sifter edged in pink. Beige suedette pouch. Swing label with Compact of Character by KIGU and The quality of this compact is guaranteed by KIGU Ltd. London. Beige box printed with trademark and Compacts of character and Kigu Cat. No on side. 73mm/ 2⅞ in. This is the from Kigu 1960 catalogue 52-Series Kigu ballet. Transfer printed ballet scene in a shaded silvery blue translucent finish. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Pink puff with Kigu trademark stamped in gold. Framed mirror. Spiral style pattern on base. Black felt pouch. Kigu box with Cat. No P Kigu 70 Series. Described in a 1960 catalogue, Coloured design on pink or blue enamel and silver plated top Kigu ballet. Silver-plated convertible compact with satin finish lid and dancers with the appearance of an engraving, but I think the shiny figures and flower-sprigs are applied onto the satin ground. Gilt interior, with Kigu made in England on mirror frame. With nylon sifter with plastic edge. Two paper inserts: 1) To preserve the silver plating it is desirable always to carry the Compact in the black pochette suppled. 2) insert giving instructions re. To fit or release the solid powder and about the Kigu plus sifter being washable, hygienic and of Lasting Quality. Excellent mirror, silver, textured pattern on base. Used foam puff has largely disintegrated, but pink satin back remains and is stamped in gold Kigu of London. 83mm/3¼ in. Broadway series Cat.Ref.: GSP Description: Graceful ballet couple in gilt on silverplated satin background Found in Kigu 1968/9 Catalogue. Size: 83mm 3¼in.

4 Kigu ballet. Convertible compact with transfer-printed romantic ballerina on dark translucent blue finish. Gold-tone with textured pattern on base. Kigu made in England on mirror frame. Used sifter. No puff. 83mm/3 ¼ in. From David Kiashek s website: Broadway series Cat. Ref.: blue Description: Graceful design of a ballerina dancing under pink blossom on deep translucent blue background decorates this gilt convertible compact. Found in Kigu 1965/9 Catalogue. Size: 83mm 3¼in Kigu ballet. Black enamelled Cherie with silver-coloured mount with marcasites. Signed Cherie Patented on mirror frame and Kigu trademark on inner lid. Textured gilt base. No sifter or puff. 82mm/3¼ in x 72mm/3in. 1950s? Kigu ballet. Black enamelled compact, which I think is a 70 series Venus and shown in a 1967 catalogue, although it may also have been produced earlier. Framed mirror with Pat. Pen on frame and Made in England. Kigu trademark on inner lid, which has a diamond pattern. White sifter, no puff. Circular pattern on base. 77mm/3in. Kigu ballet shown in a 1952 catalogue and described as An exquisite range of round compacts in gleaming enduring gilt finish, with artistic silvery designs. Framed mirror and Kigu trademark on wavy, textured inner lid. Use sifter, but no puff. Spiral design to base. 90mm/3½ in. dia

5 Kigu ballet. Transfer printed ballet dancers with flowers and ribbons. Inner lid with Kigu trademark on a textured surface and a sliding catch. Framed mirror with Pat. Pen and Made in England on mirror frame. Textured ripple-effect base. With used sifter and beige pouch. 77mm/3⅛ in. Probably Kigu 70 Series from mid-1950s. Kigu ballet. Ballerina in a romantic landscape transfer-printed onto a high shine gilt background. Lid and base slightly overhang. Textured base. No inner lid and a ridged, cream plastic surround to the base looks designed to hold solid powder. White plastic powder well. Velour-edged nylon sifter. Framed mirror. Kigu England stamped on lower rim of the base near the catch. Shown in 1965 Kigu Catalogue and described as a Lido 17 Convertible for loose or solid powder. 17-T337 A graceful ballerina dancing at the water s edge. This gilt compact makes an ideal gift. 20/- The same design is shown in 1966 catalogue on a Venus 70 compact for loose powder, blue A graceful ballerina dancing among colourful blossom on deep blue translucent enamel background makes this gilt compact a perfect gift 189/- doz. From Face Facts editor Jenny Duncan The text with eight photos was first published in Face Facts Issue 26 February 2004 with my thanks to David Kiashek for kindly providing catalogue references and dates from his Kigu archives for compacts that were pictured. I have now added additional photos and descriptions of Kigu ballet compacts for the website. July 2015