Hand Puppet
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Albert G. Walker
(American, 1836 - 1902)
MakerMade by
Albert G. Walker
(American, 1836 - 1902)
Date1858
MediumCarved and painted wood; hand-stitched, plain-woven printed cotton, glazed cotton, and gingham; thread; and nails
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 23 1/4 x 10 x 3 1/4in. (59.1 x 25.4 x 8.3cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2007.4.1.5
DescriptionMale hand puppet made of a piece of wood that is carved at one end to form a neck and head. The neck and head are painted black; all facial details are carved and painted. A large, protruding nose has carved, rounded nostrils that are painted red. The mouth has large, protruding lips; the exterior portion of each lip is painted black, and each interior portion is painted a deep red. Deep eye sockets are carved in to make the eyes bulge. The outline of each eye is painted red, the eyes are painted off-white, and the pupils are painted with a dot of black paint. Two small pieces of wood form arms, with the ends carved to form closed hands.
Clothing. The puppet wears a cap that extends down the back of the head. The top of the cap is made of glazed cotton with horizontally white and green stripes; the rim of the cap is made of vertically striped white and red fabric; and the portion of the cap that covers the back of the head is navy blue. All three portions of the cap are tacked in place with nails at evenly spaced intervals. The puppet has a tie or a neck kerchief made of peach colored fabric. The shirt is made of plain-woven printed gingham with dark green, light green, and white checks. The back is long and rounded, while the front of the shirt is cut straight across the waist. Each sleeve is cut from separate pieces and stitched to the main body of the shirt with off-white thread. This thread also stitches the front of the shirt closed. The shirt is held on with a nail at the front of the collar and a second nail at the upper back. The lower portion of the puppet is covered with plain-woven dark blue printed cotton with white dots on it; this fabric would cover the puppeteer's arm. None of the fabric has finished edges.
Clothing. The puppet wears a cap that extends down the back of the head. The top of the cap is made of glazed cotton with horizontally white and green stripes; the rim of the cap is made of vertically striped white and red fabric; and the portion of the cap that covers the back of the head is navy blue. All three portions of the cap are tacked in place with nails at evenly spaced intervals. The puppet has a tie or a neck kerchief made of peach colored fabric. The shirt is made of plain-woven printed gingham with dark green, light green, and white checks. The back is long and rounded, while the front of the shirt is cut straight across the waist. Each sleeve is cut from separate pieces and stitched to the main body of the shirt with off-white thread. This thread also stitches the front of the shirt closed. The shirt is held on with a nail at the front of the collar and a second nail at the upper back. The lower portion of the puppet is covered with plain-woven dark blue printed cotton with white dots on it; this fabric would cover the puppeteer's arm. None of the fabric has finished edges.
Status
Not on view
