Accession Number

983.972a & b

Description

A hand-tinted photograph of Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir, her body facing the camera, her costume a red high-collared military tunic with with seven horizontal gold-coloured bands of fabric across her torso, a fringed epaulet on each shoulder, her headgear a red pillbox hat with gold trim, her skirt blue, a red and white sash around her waist, her hair dark, short and curly, in her left hand a small black keg on a shoulder string, her right holding a cigarette, the photograph's name "C. Buddon" at the bottom right corner, on the verso is stamped the framer's name "Jos. Sommer" and his Victoria BC address.

Narrative

This photograph of Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir (nicknamed Byrdie) depicts her dressed for her role in the operatic burlesque, La Vivandière; or, True to the Corps!, by W.S. Gilbert. 

History of Use

This object was used by the Dunsmuir family at their residence, Burleith on Victoria, B.C.'s  Gorge Waterway and later at Ellora, the residence of Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir and Major Guy Mortimer Audain.

Date

circa 1895

Dimensions

18.5 cm x 8.5 cm

Material

Wood; Gesso

Photograph Type

Print

Subject/Image

Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir

Medium

Photographic

Support

Paper

Technique

Hand tinted

Inscription

on the from of the photograph, printed:  C. Buddon
on the verso, stamped on the dust paper:  Jos. Sommer Mfgr and Designer MIRRORS PICTURES AND FRAMES Office and Fine Furniture Gov't St., Bet. Fort & Broughton, Victoria, V.I.

Country of Origin

Canada