26.00 USD
The Italian word Attesa translates as "Expectation."
This is only the second of these we've found in the last five years, so from our perspective at least, it's a very uncommon postcard. The image is beautifully soft focused as were many of our favorite Italian glamor images of that time.
All those strands of beads and how they glow! Marvelous lighting. Published by Falci of Milan, the artistic blending of tone and its title, the photographer's or publisher's interpretation of La Tatiana's pose (or its effect on her audience), "Attesa," puts the image for us into something close to the pictorialist fashion in photography.
Unfortunately, we can find no history on the dancer La Tatiana.
She wears what appears to be a shift of assuit (probably over an elaborately sparkling belly dance costume :). Assuit is an Egyptian fabric that originated thousands of years ago and blends thin strips of metal (initially wire which is then flattened during the production process) with natural fiber such as cotton or linen. These strips can be of base metals, such as copper, or even precious metals, like gold.
The fabric is closely associated with belly dancing. In fact, assuit, or tulle-bi-telli as it is also called, was introduced to the American public at the 1893 Chicago world's fair, at the very same time that the art of belly dancing was being introduced here! (Thanks Wikipedia!) The fabric must have enjoyed particular popularity during the 1910s and 20s in Italy, since most of the postcard images we find of performers wearing costumes made of it are out of that time and place.
A magnificent card. Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!