String Puppet Item Number: 2956/299 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
String puppet (marioneta) of the character Monsayeed, the ruler of Calcutta (now Kolkata). Hands and face are delicately carved and very detailed. The face has large painted eyes, a sharp nose, wrinkled forehead above heavy grey brows, and black mustache and sideburns. He wears a green head wrap and scarf, as well as a long white tunic, green shirt, long burlap vest and light grey pants. A braided belt is attached around the waist. His feet are covered by light leather sandals that lace up the leg over white wrappings. Stiff guards line his wrists. Puppet is moved by a wooden control stick, with marionette strings attached to head, shoulders, hands and knees.
History Of Use
Ten marionettes were made especially by Jorge Cerqueira for the Museum of Anthropology collection (see #2956/293-300 & #3105/1-2). These marionetas (string puppets) represent key characters—historical heroes and gods, sultans and kings, the dangerous storm, Adamastor, and the beautiful goddess, Venus, dressed in crimson—from the Portuguese epic, The Lusiads (1572). Written by the one-eyed adventurer and beloved poet, Luís de Camões, The Lusiads tells of the Portuguese discovery of a sea route to the East. The hero of the fantastical tale is the explorer, Vasco da Gama, who is either aided or opposed on his voyage by the Roman gods: Jupiter, Bacchus, Neptune and Venus. En route, Vasco da Gama’s fleet is welcomed by the Sultan of Malindi (Kenya) and bravely battles Adamastor, the gigantic storm, before arriving in India and meeting Monsayeed, the ruler of Calcutta (now Kolkata). Setting sail again, the Portuguese explorers stop to feast on the Isle of Love and afterwards journey on through the Indian Ocean, visiting parts of Asia and Africa. This character represents Monsayeed, the ruler of Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Iconographic Meaning
Puppet representing 'Monsayeed,' as a character in "Os Lusíadas" (The Lusiads). In the story, a Muslim man named Monsayeed greets the fleet and tells the explorers about the lands they have reached.
Item History
- Made by Jorge Cerqueira (Maker) in Sintra, Lisboa, Portugal during 2012
- Collected by Anthony A. Shelton in Portugal during 2012
- Owned by Anthony A. Shelton before September 17, 2012
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) and Anthony A. Shelton (Seller) on September 17, 2012
What
- Name
- String Puppet
- Identification Number
- 2956/299
- Type of Item
- puppet
- Material
- wood, paper, cotton fibre, synthetic fibre, paint and metal
- Overall
- height 83.0 cm, width 23.0 cm, depth 13.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Portuguese
- Creator
- Jorge Cerqueira (Maker)
- Field Collector
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Previous Owner
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) and Anthony A. Shelton (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sintra, Lisboa, Portugal
- Collected in
- Portugal
When
- Creation Date
- during 2012
- Collection Date
- during 2012
- Ownership Date
- before September 17, 2012
- Acquisition Date
- on September 17, 2012
Other
- Condition
- excellent
- Accession Number
- 2956/0299