Theda Bara's Beaded Leg Band from Cleopatra. ...

Description

Theda Bara's Beaded Leg Band from Cleopatra. While Claudette Colbert, Vivien Leigh, and Elizabeth Taylor have all been memorable cinema Cleopatras, Theda Bara epitomized the role for millions of moviegoers worldwide when she triumphantly (and very flamboyantly) essayed the doomed Queen in the 1917 film version. Tragically, the long-lost film remains elusive, one of the most sought-after of all missing-in-action Silents. Surviving stills give hints of the delirious decadence with which Theda tackled her role, as do this auction's surviving costume pieces. A wonderful example is this beaded leg band, which Theda personally presented to the consignor shortly before her death and identified as being from Cleopatra. The piece can be seen clearly, wrapped around Theda's lower leg in a gorgeous still image from Cleopatra; just imagine the beads accentuating her every step! It features a scarab in the center, flanked by two serpents, with 11 strands of translucent red beads. The band is likely brass and there is some tarnishing on the front upper and lower areas; also some additional beads have come unattached from the piece (but are included in the lot). Good condition. The band virtually screams Egyptian royalty - at least Silent screen Hollywood style - and the fact that it was wrapped around Theda Bara's leg in Cleopatra gives the piece a truly seductive distinction in film history. From the Joan Craig Costume Archive of Theda Bara. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Joan Craig.

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