String Puppet Item Number: 3351/8 a-g from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Opera dei Pupi puppet of the character named Agricane (King of Mongolia). Three-dimensional marionette carved of wood (part a) with detachable head (part b) mounted on a long, hooked metal rod. He has a thick black moustache and long goatee. He wears a gold tunic, gold pantaloons adorned with vertical red bands, and a blue with gold brocade cape. He is heavily armoured on his body and shoulders, with guards on wrists, ankles and neck (part c). He wears a crown with pointed leaf projections and a long black wool train; he also has a red-yellow-black wool braided headband. The body is jointed at the elbows, shoulders, and hips – held together by fabric underneath main outfit. The left wrist has a length of black-brown cord tied to it, which also attaches a small circular gold shield, with an eight-petaled floral design, to the forearm. The right hand is clenched in a fist, which a small silver and gold-coloured metal sword (parts d-f) is inserted through, which also inserts through the eye of one end of a long metal rod (part g) with an eye hook on each end. Both hands are painted silver. There is a metal band across the bottom of each heel.

History Of Use

Puppet (Opera dei Pupi) representing the character Agricane. Opera dei Pupi is an internationally recognized form of marionette theatre from Sicily. Originating in the early 1800s, Opera dei Pupi is based on medieval romances and epic stories of King Carlo Magno (Charlemagne, 742-814 CE) and his Christian knights, who defended Europe against pagan and Islamic forces. The plays involve pomp and ceremony, unrequited love, violent battles and the death of puppets, as glinting swords clash, shining armour rings, bodies split and heads tumble. One example of a scene on stage is Orlando Furioso, which is based on the Italian epic poem by Ludovico Aristo, published in 1516. It shows King Carlo Magno calling forth his faithful knights, including the brave female knight, Bradamante, in preparation for battle. One at a time, he calls their names and sings their praises. On the edge of the scene lurks the villainous Agricane, King of Mongolia, who has captured Princess Angelica, whom Orlando loves.

Item History

What

Name
String Puppet
Identification Number
3351/8 a-g
Type of Item
puppet
Material
wood, copper alloy metal, paint, fibre, plant fibre and wool fibre
Overall
height 131.5 cm, width 36.5 cm, depth 15.0 cm

Who

Culture
Sicilian
Creator
Fratelli Fratelli Napoli (Maker)
Previous Owner
Fratelli Fratelli Napoli
Received from
Fratelli Fratelli Napoli (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Catania, Sicily, Italy

When

Creation Date
between 1990 and 1998
Ownership Date
before April 22, 2019
Acquisition Date
on April 22, 2019

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
3351/0008