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Cultural Context

Theatrical performance.

Narrative

The puppet was purchased by Friesen in an antique shop in Jakarta, Java, in 1974.

Description

A shadow puppet of a Chinese man with a wrinkled face, short black hair, and a long moustache. Wearing a red hat with yellow plumes on the back and two flowers. Wearing black high cut Manchu laced boots and intricate floral robes with trousers to match. Three horn handling sticks, one at the back of the head bending downwards at a right angle, tied with black string, and one at each hand tied also with black string. Plastic rivets connect parts, shoulder, elbows, hands, waist, and hips. One boot shows completely while with the other, only the foot appears from under the long robes.

History Of Use

With bamboo manipulating rods, these shadow puppets come from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. They are unique because of their aesthetics and large size; their finger, arm, and shoulder joints; and their facial profiles, which often show a small overbite. The figures represent military officials, lower-rank officers, and women of status and rank. Once an enormously popular form of entertainment, they performed classic stories such as Sanguo or Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a 14th century text. These exquisite puppets were probably made in the late 1800s or early 1900s, during the last decades of the Qing dynasty (1636-1912 CE). First documented evidence of shadow puppetry in China was 960-1126 CE. Puppeteering is a family profession performed at festivals and religious celebrations. Before 1900, no women were allowed to see these performances in public. Performances were, therefore, held in their homes. Now appreciated by all ages and classes. Puppets vary in size according to regional styles. Anatomy and construction of figures similar throughout. Puppets portray idealized types. The solid faces are incised and painted with designs which indicate the figures' personalities. Hairstyles and headdresses are designed with appropriate shaped motifs and colours to match characters' status. More elaborate costumes represent characters of higher rank. Peking puppets: faces on profile; beards and headdresses carved as part of head; arms attached at same spot on opposite side of torsos; jointed at waists, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands in 2-3 parts. Originally used donkey skin, now use same, but also cowhide, sheepskin, water buffalo, and pigskin. Operating sticks made of water buffalo horn.