Conservation & Heritage Issue 52 Summer/Autumn 2026 - Flipbook - Page 76
APPEAL LAUNCHED TO FIND
HISTORIC BLACKPOOL WINTER
GARDENS DANCE TROPHY
Could a precious piece of Blackpool’s Dance Festival heritage be sitting in your home?
The Blackpool Dance Festival team has launched an urgent
appeal to trace a historic bronze and ivory figurine that was
once a treasured trophy from the early days of Blackpool
Winter Gardens.
ballroom dancing competition. We’d be delighted to
discuss possibilities with the current owner and ensure
the figurine is handled with the utmost care and respect
it deserves.”
The art deco statue, created by renowned artist D.H.
Chiparus, depicts an elegant dancer and is one of twelve
historic trophies that were cleared out from the Winter
Gardens prior to its sale to Leisure Parcs in the early days of
the venue’s history.
The Blackpool Dance Festival team is keen to reconnect
with this significant piece of heritage and would welcome
any information about its current location as it approaches
its Centenary celebrations in May 2026.
If you own this figurine, know of its whereabouts, or have
any information that could help locate it, please contact:
The Blackpool Dance Festival Team - dancefestival@
wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
The valuable piece was sold at auction, during the 1990s, at
Smythes Auctioneers in Cleveleys for £25,200 to a mystery
London bidder. Despite extensive searches, the figurine’s
current whereabouts remain unknown.
All enquiries will be treated with the utmost discretion and
sensitivity.
The Blackpool Dance Festival team believes the statue
could be:
•
•
•
•
Displayed with pride in a dancer’s home
Owned by someone unaware of its historical significance
and connection to Blackpool’s dance heritage
Stored away in a box or attic, passed down through
generations
Part of a private collection
This exquisite bronze and ivory dancer represents an
important piece of Blackpool’s cultural history and the
world-renowned dance tradition that has made the Winter
Gardens famous across the globe.
Natalie Hayes, Blackpool Dance Festival organiser, said:
I
“
This beautiful Chiparus figurine represents such an
important piece of our dance festival’s rich history,
and we would love to reconnect with it, especially as
we approach our centenary celebrations in May 2026.
We’re not looking to reclaim ownership – we simply
want to open a conversation with whoever currently
treasures this piece.
“
Perhaps they would consider loaning it to us for our
centenary year, allowing thousands of dancers and
visitors from around the world to appreciate its beauty
and significance. It would be wonderful to have this
historic trophy back home, even temporarily, as we
celebrate 100 years of the world’s most prestigious
Conservation & Heritage Journal
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