Collections

Leona Dare's Aeronaut Mouthpiece and Case

Leona Dare's Aeronaut Mouthpiece and Case - Mouthpiece, Iron Jaw
Accession #: 2790.7
Title: Leona Dare's Aeronaut Mouthpiece and Case
Object Type: Mouthpiece, Iron Jaw
Participants:
Dare, Leona (user)
Physical Description: Steel hook attached to an impression of the inside of Leona Dare's mouth and teeth. Impression painted pink. Case is black leather with deep red satin and velvet lining. Case inscribed, "Alexander, DANTON SUCCCT, 21 Rue Auber, 21, Paris."
Description: Leona Dare delighted audiences by hanging by her teeth from circus tents and hot-air balloons. She learned her trade in New Orleans from Thomas Dare, to whom she was briefly married. Her beauty and daring won admirers at a time when most people believed female bodies were physically inferior to those of males. Dare performed in both the U.S. and Europe, meriting the nicknames "Comet of 1873," "The Queen of the Antilles" and "The Pride of Madrid." At the height of her career, she reportedly earned $1,000 per week - the equivalent of about $25,000 today - and her fame warranted coverage in The New York Times. Trapeze artist Leona Dare (1855-1922) died at a relative's home in Spokane and is buried in Riverside Cemetery. Along with this mouthpiece, her costumes and memorabilia are preserved at the Museum.
Category: History
Subjects/Topics/Concepts:
Recreation (Recreation), Women (Women)
Geographical Reference: Paris (International->Europe->France)
Dimensions:
Object H x W x L 1 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 9 1/4" case
Object L x W 7 1/4 x 2 1/2" mouthpiece
Materials/Techniques:
imitation leather (Material)
steel (Material)
velvet (Material)
satin (Material)
ceramic (Material)
Marks/Inscription:
Alexander, DANTON SUCCCT, 21 Rue Auber, 21, Paris.
Related Exhibits:
Credit Line: Gift of Jeanne Keck and Barbara Oehler, 1981

To order a reproduction, inquire about permissions, or for information about prices see:
https://www.northwestmuseum.org/collections