Sitter: Mdlle Maria Isabel Regina Aspasia de Bittencourt, later Countess of Lisburne (d. 1944).

Maria Isabel Regina Aspasia de Bittencourt, later Countess of Lisburne (1895-1944), was the daughter of a Chilean diplomat. Her parents were well known in London Society, with one newspaper reporting that they were “simply terrifically and tropically rich, and Don Julio and the señora’s dances at the Ritz are positive orgies of orchids, roses, and everything else that’s lovely and expensive.”

For her presentation at the Court of 14 May 1912, Messers Jay’s of Regent Street prepared a gown of white satin, with a tunic of spotted Brussels net, embroidered in a design of silver bugles. Her train was of striped silver tissue, draped with Brussels net, and embroidered with silver bugles to match the gown, edged with kilted lace and a fringe of silver with silver and chiffon roses.

Two years later, on 16 July 1914, Mademoiselle de Bittencourt, who The Times reported “enjoys an income of $60,000 in her own right, and has prospects of inheriting several millions”, was married to the Earl of Lisburne – and became the first Chilean lady to become an British peeress.

Biog: Daughter of Don Julio Fermin Albert de Bittencourt, of the Chilean Diplomatic Service; m. (1914) Ernest Edmund Henry Malet, 7th Earl of Lisburne.

Date: 15 May 1912.

Occasion: Attendance at the Court, 14 May 1912.

Location: The Lafayette Studio, 179 New Bond Street, London.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: Court dress^: "Gown of white satin, with tunic of spotted Brussels net,...embroidered in a design of silver bugles; train of striped silver tissue, draped with Brussels net, and embroidered with silver bugles to match gown, edged with kilted lace and fringe of silver, and silver and chiffon roses, top of train headed with...capeline, made in frills of fine lace" (see: Lady's Pictorial, 25 May 1912, p 843c).

Costume Designer & Supplier: Messrs. Jay's, Ltd., Regent Street, London.

Jewellery: -

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop; Rococo side-table on high legs.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 1.

Copyright: V&A

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

Biog: Burke's Peerage.

Occasion: The Times, 15 May 1912, p 12.

Costume: The Times, 15 May 1912, p 12f; The Court Journal, 23 May 1912, p 685; Lady's Pictorial, 25 May 1912, p 843c.

Costume Designer: Lady's Pictorial, 25 May 1912, p 843c.

Costume Supplier: The Times, 15 May 1912, p 12f; The Court Journal, 23 May 1912, p 685; Lady's Pictorial, 25 May 1912, p 843c.

Jewellery: -

Reproduced: -