Puppet - Wood

Painted wooden string puppet — Figure of a coconut vendor with a dorsal fountain France, late 19th century. Characterful puppet evoking the coconut vendor, a figure of traveling tradespeople, thanks to its dorsal fountain and hanging cups. The painted face is distinguished by a pronounced nose, a large black mustache and dark hair, under a green tricorn hat trimmed with a gold lace. The costume pairs a gray-green jacket, a floral-decorated waistcoat, red breeches and light gaiters with small buttons over black shoes. A burgundy pocket square and small chains complete the presentation. The metal reservoir worn on the back is extended by a curved tube. It features an elaborate decoration of gold braid, ochre and red fringes and plumes. The small metal receptacles hanging reinforce the reading of the character. The richness of this miniature equipment and the strength of the physiognomy make it a striking piece for a collection focused on puppets and depictions of street trades. Construction combines hand-painted wood elements with flexible textile parts; threads connected to a wooden control. All elements are ancient and original: puppet, costume, accessories, thread and control. Dimensions of the figure: about 45 cm in height, excluding threads and control, 25 cm wide and 15 cm deep. Weight: 2 kg. Lovely antique condition, with an authentic patina that testifies to time and history. The nuances of the painted wood and textiles contribute to the character of this collectible piece. Overall and detail photographs allow precise assessment of its condition. String puppets belong to the tradition of animated figure theater. Operated from above, they are suspended by threads gathered on a wooden control, called a control or crossbeam. The puppeteer manipulates this assembly to give the character its attitudes and movements. Used by artists and companies, but also in amateur and family theaters, they bring stories to life, comic scenes and musical or dance numbers. Characters of trades and musicians evoke a recognizable popular world, immediately identifiable by their costume and accessories. These objects combine sculpture, painting, textile craft and miniature work, all qualities valued in collections devoted to theater and old toys. Lot including a puppet, its wooden control, its threads and the accessories presented with it in the original photographs. Photographic presentation: the first eight images show a background removal, AI-assisted or cleaned backgrounds. The puppet, its threads and accessories are preserved. The seven original, unretouched photographs follow to document the object and its condition. The backdrop decorations are not part of the lot.

Estimate:$1.12

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