Marionette
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Plaster, Nylon thread, Metal, Plastic shell
Measurements
410 mm (height)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 661558
Summary
Two of the puppets made for and used by the ‘Lilliput Marionette Theatre’. A pair of marionettes identified as a 'cymbal and horn player' and are from a play entitled 'Faust'. Both are made of wood and are similar in design. They have no control. They are attached by knotted nylon thread which is attached to a piece of wood with notches in it. The surface of both puppets is painted brown. They both have 'imp' like carved wooden features, with pointed heads and protruding ears. They have very prominent cheek bones. They have green painted eyes with a gold plastic bead in the centre. They have gold on their lips. They have no clothes. They have protruding stomachs with a gold sequin in the centre. They are jointed at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, knees and ankles. They have modelling material hands, which are slightly cracked. One puppet holds a shell in one hand which is sprayed gold and another shell is attached to the nylon thread. It is possible that these are supposed to be cymbals. The other puppet holds in both hands what appears to be a pipe. This pipe is made from a shell, the far end of which, is fixed onto a long curved pipe made from modelling material. At the end is fitted a metal mouth piece. The pipe is also sprayed gold. Total number of items is 2.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood by Mr E Hellawell in 1982.