{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1175391"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1175391/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LK5300/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LK5300/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019LK5300","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5301","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5303","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5304","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5305","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5306","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK5299","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX3655","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX3656","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2105","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2106","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2104","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2103","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2099","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2101","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2100","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX2102","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1175391/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1175391","accessionNumber":"S.2796:1 to 8-2010","objectType":"Theatre costume","titles":[{"title":"Costume for Irving as Shylock","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this costume as Shylock in <i>The Merchant of Venice</i> by William Shakespeare (1564-1616).  The costume was designed by the painter and engraver John Gilbert (1817–1897), who specialised in works on Shakespearean themes.  His many book illustrations included an engraved print of Shylock for the <i>Imperial Edition of The Works of Shakespere</i> [sic] which was published in two volumes between 1873 and 1876. \r\n\r\nIrving first produced <i>The Merchant of Venice</i> in 1879, inspired by a Mediterranean cruise during which he visited Venice and North Africa.  His portrayal of Shylock was sympathetic and intellectual, unlike the variously comic or villainous ones of preceding eras.  The initial production ran for 250 performances, and it remained in Irving’s repertory of plays until his death in 1905.\r\n\r\nIrving became a professional actor in 1856, and learned his trade in regional theatres until 1866, when he came to London.  He joined the Lyceum Theatre company under the management of H. L. Bateman in 1871, winning great acclaim that year for his psychologically developed characterisation of the guilt-ridden inn-keeper Mathias in Leopold Lewis’s melodrama <i>The Bells</i>.  He took on the responsibilities of ‘actor-manager’ in 1878 when he assumed the management of the Lyceum, and remained there until 1902, enjoying star status with his leading lady Ellen Terry (1847-1928).   Irving produced a diverse range of old and new plays at the Lyceum, including Shakespeare, historical drama, and literary adaptations.  His tireless work to elevate the status of the theatrical profession was rewarded in 1895 when he became the first actor ever to receive a knighthood for services to the Theatre.\r\n\r\nIrving specialised in spectacularly staged productions with large casts of performers. He commissioned designers and composers to create appropriate scenery, costume and incidental music, played by a full orchestra.  Although electric lighting was available from the 1880s, Irving preferred the softer effects of gas, with lime light to focus attention at key points in the play.  Irving toured complete productions outside London, taking the full company, scenery and costumes throughout the United Kingdom and across the United States and Canada.   The development of the railway system made his the first generation able to achieve this level of touring productions.","physicalDescription":"Costume consisting of:\r\nOpen overgown of brown wool, trimmed with animal fur at the collar and fronts and black braid at the deep side vents. Each side vent has 20 buttons (with loops for 26).\r\nWaistcoat in silk brocade striped fabric, possibly antique, in shades of green and yellow and figured with floral motifs, fastening at the front with 31 small buttons and loops (two buttons missing), backed with linen. The back of the waistcoat is cotton sateen. \r\nWhite linen shirt with integral turn-down collar. Fastened with five self covered  buttons. The cuffs fasten with one self covered button.\r\nBrown cotton gown trimmed with black braid at the centre front, cuffs, pocket openings and side vents. Cotton has faded floral pattern. Buttoned at the front with 42 mismatched  buttons (some missing). Five buttons on each sleeve.\r\nBelt of webbing and leather, with hanging leather thongs and 'tassles'.\r\nGilt chain. Formed from rectangular links and looped and strengthened with narrow brown tape.\r\nBrown leather satchel/pouch with buckle and strap. Made from soft tan leather. Rounded shape, narrowing at the top. It fastens asymmetrically with a buckle on the front. The pouch is suspended from two long straps, one of which is sewn down, the other fastening with a button.\r\nSash of red silk, with large striped sections at each end. Central section faced in dark yellow. 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Not to be confused with the 1901 Benson costume.'","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Theatrical ensemble of open over-gown, waistcoat, shirt, gown, belt, chain, bag and sash, worn by Henry Irving as Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice', at the Lyceum under his own management in 1879. Costume designed by Sir John Gilbert.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Holmes, Martin. <i>Stage Costumes and Accessories in the London Museum</i>. 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