Oussadba Russe

In 1929, Princess Clementine Eristavi Tchitcherine's establishment, the Oussadba Russe, was a notable fixture at 84 Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. This elegant restaurant and tearoom was a reflection of the opulence and sophistication associated with the Russian aristocracy. The venue was renowned not only for its refined ambiance but also for its unique offerings that set it apart from other dining establishments of the time. Guests were treated to a luxurious experience that combined the delicate pleasures of afternoon tea with the enchanting sounds of Russian music, creating an atmosphere that was both exotic and welcoming. The selection of teas was curated with great care, promising an indulgent respite amidst the bustling city.

The name "Oussadba Russe" was more than just a moniker for this charming tearoom; it also found its way into the world of perfumery. Russian Oussadba, the perfume sharing the same name, was a fragrant homage to the cultural richness and allure of the establishment. The perfume likely captured the essence of the Russian elegance that defined the tearoom, offering a sensory journey that evoked the same blend of sophistication and mystery that characterized Princess Clementine's Parisian retreat. The scent would have been a fitting complement to the experience of the tearoom, embodying the luxurious and exotic spirit of the Oussadba Russe.

Clementine de Vere (20 December 1888–31 March 1973), renowned as Ionia, was a leading female magician of the early 20th century. A British-born illusionist, she also went by Clementine Weedon and Princess Clementine Eristavi Tchitcherine. Despite her British citizenship, Clementine was born in Brussels and spent much of her life in France. On stage, she was celebrated as "Ionia - the Enchantress" or the "Goddess of Mystery."

Clementine was the eighth child of Herbert Shakespeare Gardiner Williams, a British illusionist known as Charles de Vere, and Julia de Vere (née Ferrett), who performed as "Okita," a pioneering Oriental magic act. Her father established magic shops in London and Brussels, significantly influencing her early life. The family moved to Paris in 1892, where Charles de Vere continued his magic enterprise until around 1909, and Clementine was notably influenced by the Folies Bergère's artistic environment.

At just 15½ years old, on 5 May 1904, Clementine eloped with Herman Weedon (born Herman Armond Wirtheim), an American circus artist and tamer. This early marriage marked the beginning of her remarkable career in magic and illusion.

In June 1904, Clementine de Vere and her new husband, Herman Weedon, traveled to New York, where Weedon was scheduled to perform at Coney Island. Over the subsequent years, Clementine accompanied him on his professional tours across Europe and the United States. Their marriage produced a son, Frank H. Weedon (1907-1984), who later adopted the name Frank Wirtheim Tchitcherine.

By 1909, Clementine and Herman had journeyed to Denmark, Russia, and Vienna, further expanding their international presence. During this period, Clementine's brother Camille de Vere (1885-1909) worked with their family magic business at 13 rue Saulnier in Paris. Camille’s untimely death from diabetes mellitus in 1909 led Charles de Vere to retire from his business. He relocated to Rosny-sous-Bois, where he dedicated himself to preparing a grand show for his daughter Clementine.

Clementine de Vere, performing under the stage name "Ionia," enjoyed a successful career across continental Europe before bringing her act to the United Kingdom. On 30 January 1911, she took the stage as "Ionia" at the Birmingham Hippodrome in England. Her performance, sometimes billed as "the Enchantress" or the "Goddess of Mystery," was noted for its grandeur, requiring six tons of equipment and elaborate Egyptian costumes for herself and her team of male and female assistants.

The act received widespread acclaim and was subsequently performed in various cities, including Vienna, Marseille, Lyon, and Prague. Clementine's last contemporary mention appeared in the March 1911 issue of The Sphinx, a magazine that featured a photograph of her on the cover and detailed her recent performance in Manchester. This issue highlighted the continued success and influence of her performances during that period.

"Ionia," the stage persona of Clementine de Vere, faced an unexpected setback when her contract to perform in America fell through due to the sudden closure of Broadway’s Folies Bergère of New York. This theater, which had opened in the spring of 1911, shut its doors in October of the same year due to financial difficulties. Consequently, Clementine was unable to fulfill her American engagements and struggled to find suitable employment.

In 1912, Clementine spent most of the year performing in Vienna, showcasing her act at the Kaiser Garten and Ronacher theatres. These performances were among her last notable appearances as "Ionia." By 1914, her father, Charles de Vere, became disheartened by the decline in her elaborate acts and sought to sell the tricks and equipment to mitigate the financial losses incurred.

In 1913, Clementine met Prince Vladimir Eristavi Tchitcherine d'Aragvi, a Russian-Georgian noble. Following her divorce from Herman Weedon on 23 June 1917, she married Prince Vladimir on 21 June 1919 in Paris, marking a new chapter in her personal and professional life.

After her marriage to Prince Vladimir Eristavi Tchitcherine d'Aragvi, Clementine moved to Russia, where she encountered significant challenges. Her father’s letter from 1928 reflects this period, stating, "My daughter who was Ionia was at Moscow when the Revolution commenced. All her material pillaged and she was in the cellar of Hotel 3 months." While her father's account is accurate in terms of the upheaval she faced, it is important to note that Clementine had abandoned her magic career before meeting Tchitcherine. In Russia, she was not performing but was instead involved in purchasing large tracts of rural property, primarily usadbas.

In the 1920s, Clementine lived temporarily with her second husband in Washington, D.C., and later Paris. During this period, she opened a Russian tearoom named Oussadba-Russe at 84 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, which reflected her continued engagement with Russian culture.

Clementine’s second marriage was dissolved on 26 October 1928, but she retained her title of Princess. She continued to reside in France until her death in 1973 and was buried with her parents in Batignolles Cemetery in Paris.

"Ionia's" performing career was brief, spanning only five years. From 1908 to mid-1910, her act featured trained animals. Her father, Charles de Vere, designed the magic act, which debuted in September 1910 in Marseille. The act was known for its spectacular illusions and was promoted with striking posters. Of the 22 posters produced by Moody Brothers of Birmingham, only eleven have survived, making them highly valued by collectors as examples of magic's Golden Age.

More information on deVere can be found at this archival website.

About the Tearoom:

The term "Oussadba" refers to a type of rural estate in Russian architecture, encompassing a house with surrounding outbuildings and land, such as gardens, parks, or vegetable plots. Originally, usadbas were granted by Princes or Tsars as gifts, establishing the land for chosen individuals. These estates were often inherited and later purchased, serving as either a permanent residence or a holiday retreat.

In 1922, La Revue de Paris described a shop named "Russian Oussadba," highlighting its vibrant and eclectic display. Situated among the smallest shops facing the presidential palace, it featured an array of objects including Saxon items, cakes, Russian tea, furs, and oriental jewelry. The shop's narrow space and colorful, eclectic decorations contrasted with the more harmonious and refined aesthetics typical of Italian and French craftsmanship.

By 1927, the Bulletin of the American Women's Club of Paris celebrated the Oussadba Russe tearoom in Paris, noting its evocative atmosphere filled with the fragrance of tea and adorned with old Russian frescos by Ivan Bilibin, the court painter to the last Romanovs. The tearoom was described as a vibrant revival of old Russia, offering a glimpse into its cultural and artistic heritage.

However, by 1932, according to Paris and Its Environs by Karl Baedeker, the Oussadba Russe tearoom had ceased to exist, along with other similar establishments such as La Maisonnette Russe. This marked the end of an era for these unique venues that had offered a taste of Russian culture in Paris.

address of the tearoom today, on the far right.

The Perfume:

In 1930, the Schager Courant highlighted the perfume Oussadba-Russe, recounting its rich historical background. The perfume’s origins are attributed to Prince Alexander Bezoukoff, a notable dandy residing in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad) in 1789. His passion for perfumes led him to transform part of his palace into a personal laboratory, where he experimented daily to create exquisite new fragrances.

One particular perfume, which he crafted, delighted him so much that he used it liberally during a grand party at his summer residence, Oussadba. The scent was so pervasive that it permeated even the water in the fountains. This perfume quickly gained popularity at the Russian court, remaining a favorite from the reign of Catherine II through to Nicholas II.

By fortunate chance, the formula for this beloved perfume eventually came into the possession of Princess Eristavi. She successfully recreated and continued the preparation of this historic fragrance, ensuring its legacy persisted beyond its Russian origins.

The perfume Oussadba-Russe was elegantly presented in a heavy, round glass bottle that conveyed both luxury and solidity. The bottle itself was made of clear glass, allowing the rich color of the perfume to be visible. It featured a distinctive gray-blue tinted glass stopper, which added a touch of sophistication and complemented the overall design.

The label on the bottle was oval-shaped and adorned with the name "Russian Oussadba," which was printed in a refined script. This design choice underscored the perfume's heritage and exclusivity, aligning with its historical and aristocratic associations. The combination of the heavy glass, tinted stopper, and elegant label created a bottle that was not only functional but also a statement piece in itself.

The Prince:

Prince Vladimir Eristavi Tchitcherine d'Aragvi, who claimed to be of noble lineage, was a complex figure with a varied and tumultuous life. He was known to have hailed from Orel, Russia, and asserted that his mother was Princess Nadejda (Nadine) Eristoff d'Aragva of Switzerland, linked to the Georgian royal family. His father was Victor Tchitcherine, and he was related to Prince Simon C. Sidamon Eristoff, who married Ann Tracy, a cousin of J.P. Morgan. The Tchitcherine family, though noble, was not royal, while the Eristavis were indeed a Georgian royal family. Following his first marriage to Clementine de Vere, Vladimir adopted his mother's name officially in Paris in 1923, with the approval of his family and the Georgian legation.

The Prince claimed to have served as an officer in the Imperial Russian Guard, boasting a prestigious lineage that included an ancestor who helped place the Romanovs on the throne in 1613 and another who was a governor-general of Siberia under Catherine the Great. His military career was marked by service in the Lancers of Her Majesty and a brief stint in the Imperial Law School in St. Petersburg. He resigned from active duty due to health issues but continued to serve in various administrative and military roles, including overseeing the Red Cross and hospital organization during World War I. Following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, he fled to Paris and joined the White Russian government in exile.

Vladimir's personal life was marked by multiple marriages and divorces. His second marriage in March 1929 to Diane Rockwood from Indianapolis ended in divorce due to allegations of mistreatment and financial neglect. He subsequently relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked in jewelry sales. His third marriage to former screen actress Lucy Cotton in May 1941 also ended in divorce in 1944, with Cotton accusing him of cruelty and financial irresponsibility. His lawyer described him as high-strung and difficult, characteristics that complicated legal matters.

In 1941, the Russian Nobility Association denounced his claims of nobility, asserting that the title of "prince" was an exaggeration, and that "Eristavi" was a misinterpretation of a Georgian landowner title. By 1942, he expressed a desire to serve in the U.S. military and petitioned to renounce his title, stating his intention to be known as Mr. Eristavi instead. After becoming an American citizen, he continued to work in the hotel industry, finding it suited him. In 1953, at the age of 71, he married Natasha Varanoff, a 21-year-old from Reval, Estonia, living in New York.