Ornamental Steps
The elegant embellishment of the dances
The ornamental steps form the fundamental vocabulary of the historical art of dance around 1800. They serve to elegantly and fluidly embellish the dances and are characterized by precise footwork and the lift (L'evé). The terminology and technical execution of the steps strictly follow historical sources such as Saltator (1802) and differ significantly from those of modern ballet.
A special historical note: Although some of these steps still bear the same names as in the mid-18th century (around 1750), their technical execution and posture differ considerably from those of the Baroque and Rococo periods.
The period around 1800 marks merely the transition from the style of the Baroque & Rococo to the Biedermeier era. It is not until around 1830 that the style of the new kind truly establishes itself. For the steps of the "old" style, please visit the corresponding page Ornamental Steps of the Old Style.
Select one of the steps below to delve into our archive. As a student or ball guest, please have your password ready to gain access to the detailed historical descriptions within the protected compendium.
Note: We ask for your understanding that the development of the complete content is currently still ongoing. The documentation will be expanded successively.
Pas Battu
Rigadoon
Balance
Ballettè
Sex Pas
Pas de-six Sons
Pirouette
Play Step
Pas Brisè