Photography — C. 1960
Pearly Queens on the steps of Eros
Two Pearly Queen's on the steps of Eros, Piccadilly Circus. The Pearly Kings and Queens were so called because of the large number of pearl buttons that were stitched onto their suits. The Pearly tradition started in London's East End in the 1880s when decorating with buttons was fashionable for both men and women. It is believe to have been Henry Croft who first took this fashion a step further by appearing at a carnival in a suit covered in buttons to raise money for charity.
- Category:
- Photography
- Object ID:
- HG1986/9
- Object name:
- Pearly Queens on the steps of Eros
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Grant, Henry
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- —
- Related places:
- —
- Production date:
- c. 1960
- Material:
- cellulose acetate
- Measurements/duration:
- 6x6
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- Purchased with V&A Purchase Grant Fund support.
- Copyright holder:
- London Museum
- Image credit:
- © Henry Grant Collection/London Museum
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.
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Credit: London Museum
To licence this image for commercial use please contact the London Museum Picture Library