Gift of Carolyn Schnurer

Cedar rope made of three twisted strands. The end is fastened with wound cotton string. The rope lies in a coil which is held together with a patterned strip of tied fabric.

Puppet of a male. The body is made of wood, with articulations at the neck, elbows, fingers, hips and knees. The mouth and eyes are also moveable. The puppet is dressed in a fabric costume, with a gold sarong, and red and blue tunic embroidered in white flowers on the torso, and coloured sequence sewn onto cuffs and hem. The puppet’s face is finely carved with protruding features, painted wrinkles, brows and lashes. Human hair has been used for his moustache and hair. Puppeteer’s strings are attached to the head, shoulders, hands and legs of the puppet.

Rectangular basketry bag woven in a diagonal pattern. Long grass fringe at both bottom and top. Decorated with multi-coloured fabric strips attached to bad with beaded and seed thread. The top three attachments also hold carved teeth. The handle is five twisted pieces joined together by a knot at top.

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.

String puppet (marioneta) of the character Vasco da Gama. He is richly dressed, with pants and tunic of brocade covered by a knee length cloak of blue velvet edged in fur and a matching hat. His boots are tall, folding over at the knee. A wide, braided belt of leather holds a sheathed wooden sword (part b) painted silver and gold. His face is bearded, and eyes are shiny silver plastic. Hands and face are delicately carved and very detailed. Puppet is moved by a wooden control stick, with marionette strings attached to head, shoulders, hands and knees.

String puppet (marioneta) representing the character Adamastor, mythological character, embodiment of storms. The core of the puppet is a mass of dark brown cragged wood, cork, large strands of frayed rope and torn white plastic, as well as several small white shells. The monster's eyes are barnacle shells. Grey paint has been added to all elements in a few areas. Falling from this amalgamation is a long torn piece of black cotton fabric, also rubbed with grey paint in areas. A leather and rusted metal belt buckle is tied into one corner. Part b is a wooden control stick, carved at centre, with the handle painted to look bone-like. The control stick fits into the central piece of cork in the head.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.