Swan Lake

The ballet Swan Lake is a tale of betrayal, love, transformation, and transcendence.

Swan Lake Minaudiere:  $4,985 ea

While hunting, Prince Siegfried encounters a beautiful lake with swans gently floating on its surface. Startled, he notices that one swan is adorned by a crown. Curious, he stays to watch. At dusk, the crowned swan turns into a beautiful maiden named Odette. Siegfried falls instantly in love with her. Odette explains that the evil sorcerer, Van Rothbart, bewitched her and the other maidens into swans and the lake was formed by the tears of their parents' weeping. The Queen of Swans tells the Prince that the spell can only be broken if a man who is pure of heart pledges his love to her. Just before the Prince declares himself, Von Rothbart disguised as the Prince's mentor, separates Odette from the Prince's embrace and compels her and the other maidens to become swans and swim in the lake out of reach of the Seigfried and the other men.

The next day there is a formal celebration at the Royal Hall where the Queen insists that the Prince choose a bride. He cannot as his heart is given to Odette. Von Rothbart arrives at the ball with his daughter, Odile, over whom he has cast an illusion so she appears to be Odette. The Prince declares his love to her. The real Odette was secretly watching and flees back to the lake with a broken heart. Siegfried sees Odette flee, realizes his mistake and runs after her. He finds her at the lake being consoled by the other bewitched maidens. He explains the betrayal and she forgives him. Van Rothbart and Odile arrive and demand that the Prince marry Odile. Siegfried announces his love for Odette and declares that he would rather die with Odette than marry Odile.

Odette and Siegfried clasp hands and plunge into the lake. This breaks the spell and the swans are permanently returned to their maiden forms. The maidens drive Von Rothbart and Odile into the lake where they drown. Then the girls watch the spirits of Odette and Siegfried ascend above Swan Lake to heaven.

Betrayal, the sorcerer's evil soul, and the lake formed by the tears of the parents are symbolized by the black diamond Swarovskis forming the lake at the base of the purse. Transformation is represented by the ethereal opalescent colours of the graceful swan silhouette in the body of the design and the undulating rows of gold-set faux pearls. Love is represented by the soft rose heart shapes formed by the joining of swan shapes above the opening. Transcendence is shown by the celestial shades of blue above the swan silhouette and near the top of the composition. The diamond colour Swarovskis in the Queen's crown at the very top symbolize the bound of eternal love.

The Swan Lake minaudiere is approximately 6.5" by 4" (18cm by 10cm). Inside is a small beveled mirror and hand-dyed silk lining. The purse arrives with two chains: one for shoulder wear and a short one for hand-carrying. It can also be carried as a clutch without either chain. The chains and all metal components are gold plate with the exception of the purse chain eyelets: they are made of a stronger metal. An artist Certificate of Authenticity as well as a jewelers' polishing cloth is enclosed. The purse is swathed in a silk velvet bag carefully nested within an elegant gift box. The Swan Lake minaudiere is signed and numbered by Mme. Carlin.

Swan Lake also makes a lovely bridal minaudiere. A ring platform and personalization may be added.

Swan Lake Minaudiere:  $4,985 ea

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