{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O109197"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109197/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AW4447/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AW4447/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AW4447","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O109197/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O109197","accessionNumber":"S.120-1988","objectType":"Ceramic","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This jug features a raised image of Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899) and Jules Perrot (1810-1892) dancing the Polka, based on a contemporary print. The Polka originated in 1822 in Czechoslovakia, and not Poland as the name suggests, and was introduced into the ballrooms of France and England in 1843.  It was instant hit and 'Polka mania' became rife, with many variations of the Polka being invented.\r\n\r\nGrisi and Perrot first danced the Opera Polka together in England at Her Majesty's Theatre on 11 April 1844. The London critics reviewing the performance reported that Grisi and Perrot's rendition was 'not the thing' since there were so many varying versions of the dance, whereas that of Fanny Cerito and St Leon was acceptable.  Nevertheless 'polka mania' meant that prints were soon published showing them dancing the Polka, after which many objects such as this earthenware jug were produced depicting them doing the dance.","physicalDescription":"Glazed chocolate brown earthenware jug with decoratively shaped handle and relief moulded decoration on each side showing Grisi and Perrot dancing the Opera Polka, with intertwined acanthus motifs on the body of the jug and on the handle.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Ray, George","id":"A14137"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"earthenware","id":"x29356"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Glazed earthenware","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Containers","id":"THES48972"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2006AW4447"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES355445"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"jug","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Langton, Staffordshire","id":"x38753"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca.1844","earliest":"1839-01-01","latest":"1848-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"13.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"At tallest point, from base to lip of spout","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"9","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of round base","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"11","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of handle from the highest point to where the lower end joins the body of the jug","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Carlotta Grisi and Jules Perrot first danced the Opera Polka together in England at Her Majesty's Theatre on 11 April 1844. The London critics reviewing the performance reported that Grisi's and Perrot's rendition was 'not the thing' since there were so many varying versions of the dance, whereas that of Fanny Cerito and St. Leon was acceptable.  Nevertheless 'polka mania' meant that prints were soon published showing them dancing the polka, after which many objects such as this jug were soon produced featuring.","historicalContext":"The polka - which traces back to 1822 Czechoslovakia, not Poland, was introduced into the ballrooms of France and England in 1843 and became an instant hit. 'Polka mania' became rife and many variations of the Polka were created such as the Heel and Toe Polka, Polka-Waltz, Pulka (1840), Polka-Valse, Polka-Coquette (1860), Scottische-Polka, Polka-Redowa (Slow Polka) etc., each being an obvious mixture of the named dances. Princess Marie Nicolaewna is credited with creating the Polka-Mazur (Polka Mazurka) in 1830 which was basically a waltz. Later on, Irene and Vernon Castle would \"invent\" a dance called the \"Half & Half\", which was one half of one dance and one half of another. The Berlin dance was a mix of the Polka and Galop dances.","briefDescription":"Glazed earthenware jug decorated with moulded images of Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899) and Jules Perrot (1810-1892) dancing the Opera Polka. By George Ray of Langton, c.1844.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Grisi","id":"N1216"},{"text":"Perrot","id":"N1197"}],"associatedPerson":[{"text":"Grisi, Carlotta","id":"N1216"},{"text":"Perrot, Jules","id":"N1197"}],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.120-1988"],"accessionNumberNum":"120","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":1988,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-24","recordCreationDate":"2005-02-09","availableToBook":true}}