September 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific

Famed Russian Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov Dance Belt

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2013

Mikhail Baryshnikov custom dance belt circa 1988, while he was working for the prestigious American Ballet Theatre company. Belt serves as a kind of athletic support to be worn under tights and costume. Labeled ''M'' in black maker on waistband, presumably for Mikhail, gold dance belt is made of a blend of cotton, polyester, elastic and other fabrics. With a notarized letter by a former colleague in the American Ballet Theater company, ''...Re: Mikhail Baryshnikov's dance belt. The item that accompanies this letter is the authentic dance belt of premiere danseur Mikhail Baryshnikov. It was personally obtained by me, as I acquired it from his dressing room. From 1986 to 1988, I was a supernumery (an 'extra') in several of American Ballet Theater's productions which were performed at The Metropolitan Opera House at New York's Lincoln Center. At the time, Mikhail (Misha) Baryshnikov was Artistic Director of ABT and frequently danced with the company. In the end of July 1988, ABT's season at the Met had finally come to a close. A custodial service was scheduled to clean out all of the dressing rooms once the dancers had left the building. At that point, I happened to be wandering around the halls and noticed the door was opened to Baryshnikov's dressing room. Out of curiosity, I walked in and noticed a forgotten piece of his laundry tossed in the corner of the closet. It was his dance belt which he must have overlooked when gathering his belongings. For the past 25 years, it has been tucked away in a drawer along with the wonderful memories of the brilliant dancer it belonged to...'' Some minor wear from use, else near fine.