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Friday, March 8, 2013

Deco Beauty



Continuing with my on-going series of vintage photograph analysis, my latest image is of a deco beauty.  I hope you all like looking at the details in these 8 x 10 images.  I sometimes find that when you see these photographs on a small screen that it is more difficult to take in all the details.  Thus, I am enjoying sectioning off the images to revel more in the details and textures.  Almost, like you are allowed to come and touch the lady, but only for a minute for you don't want to disturb the photo shoot.

This image is from an 8 x 10 photograph I won on ebay.  I like to purchase the original images (and not the ones that are copies or  recent reprocessed images) as I find it fascinating they have lasted this long. You do see quite a few vintage photographs that have faded and it is difficult to see the details.  I am not quite sure who this deco beauty is but I was thinking she looks similar to Gloria Swanson.  If you know who she is, please let me know.  I think her eyes are just shaped a little differently than Gloria's but the nose and mouth shape is quite similar.  I've included some pictures below of Gloria so you can compare.  What do you think?  Think it's Gloria?

This is such a great image to revel in the details.  I wonder what movie this came from?  She is holding an ostrich feather fan and I love that you can just make out the deco gems harmoniously linked on her arm.  You can also tell that her outfit is made from a lighter tone plush velvet and accented with a kind of fir trim around her neck.   Her headpiece is amazing.  Check out the exquisite detail in the gem stone beading.  The headband base looks like it might be made of silk.  I also find the trim going down her back to be very charming.  The rhinestones are placed in a zigzag pattern.  Her look is quite sweet.  I wonder what the photographer was saying to her, what he wanted her to portray?  She seems quite relaxed and her eyes, even though she isn't looking directly at us, are very sentimental.
















You can almost feel the soft texture of the ostrich plums.  I just find it amazing the level of detail that you can see from a photograph that is nearly 100 years old!




Love Gloria's outfit.  I thought the crown above was quite similar to this one but the makeup style is completely different.  This fan that Gloria is holding is so artistically marvelous.  The splaying of feathers really ads to the glamour of the portrait.





******Update maybe it's Edwina Booth?****




7 comments:

  1. An excellent, detailed look at a fantastic 1920s image. My gut (and blink) reaction is that it's Gloria Swanson (having seen the very similar image of her that you included here numerous times before). Gloria and the lady in your photo share a strikingly similar side profile, though in a way it seems like their chins, in these images at least, seem a bit different. It's hard to say for sure. I'm veering towards Gloria...

    Whoever she was, this was one immensely lovely young (stylish!) lady. Thank you very much for sharing her with us.

    ♥ Jessica

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  2. Such inspiring beauties! I think you're right, it is Gloria Swanson. I love the Deco style.

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  3. I adore 20's, and all from that period, clothes, hairsyle, make up. Gloria is beautiful!

    I really like your blog and I m following you, visit my blog if you want :)

    Have a nice day.

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  4. Oh, my, these photos are exquisite!!!! The ladies in the deco period really knew how to be glamorous without even trying.

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  5. I love her headpiece. I really adore 1920's evening looks. A lady could put a crown on her forehead and go out dancing!

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  6. Wow, I can't believe you own the real photograph!! How cool is that! You are right too, I can almost feel those feathers.
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  7. I think she had the most perfect nose ever :-)

    Monica
    www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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