Football-inspired cotillion with a balloon
Today marks the start of the 2026 World Cup, where the balloon is king. What better opportunity to publish this charming soccer cotillion?
Throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th, hundreds of cotillion figures were invented. They featured some very specific props: flags, large heads, snowballs…
A cotillion with a side of balloon
This illustration was published in 1911, accompanied by this short article:
“Une amusante figure de cotillon: Variation de football pour les salons”
Nos lectrices savent que nous avons organisé un concours de figures de cotillon, qui a été clos depuis le 5 janvier et dont nous donnerons le compte rendu dans notre numéro du 13 février.
En attendant, il nous a paru intéressant de publier cette jolie composition qui reproduit une amusante ” figure ” qui fait actuellement fureur en Angleterre ; elle a le double avantage de ne pas coûter cher comme accessoire et d’offrir des péripéties mouvementées. Les dames prennent un de ces petits ballons rouges gonflés de gaz que l’on vend aux enfants, le ballon est attaché à un fil. La cotillonneuse accordera un tour de valse au cavalier qui aura été assez heureux pour crever d’un seul coup de talon le petit ballon rouge. Inutile de dire qu’elle y met plus ou moins de complaisance. Mais quelle bousculade et quels rires au milieu des détonation!
Fémina, 15 janvier 1911, p.35
Analysis
“An amusing cotillion figure: A football variation for the drawing room”
Our readers know that we organized a cotillion figure contest, which closed on January 5 and which we will report on in our February 13 issue.
In the meantime, we thought it would be interesting to publish this lovely composition, which depicts an amusing “figure” currently all the rage in England; it has the dual advantage of being inexpensive to set up and offering plenty of excitement. The ladies take one of those little red gas-filled balloons sold to children; the balloon is attached to a string. The cotillion dancer will grant a waltz to the gentleman who is lucky enough to pop the little red balloon with a single tap of his heel. Needless to say, she puts more or less effort into it. But what a scramble and what laughter amid the popping sounds!
I’ll begin by telling you how disappointed I was: the contest was announced,but the results were never published. By lack of contestants maybe?
To come back to the cotillion, the setup is simple. Each woman receives a balloon, tied to a string. Yes, I thought too that the balloons were invented later, but they actually were invented by Michael Faraday in 1824.
So, each woman has her “gas-filled” balloon – I assume helium. So it must be quite a challenge for the men to pop the balloon. The drawing shows only one balloon up in the air, so maybe they are just blown by mouth?
Men who manage to pop a balloon will be rewarded with a waltz with its owner. It’s a game of skill—though somewhat rigged, since the ladies choose whether or not to make the task easier for certain dancers.
It’s a charming dance, as long as you don’t mind the sound of balloons popping!
