Puppet
MakerMade by
Phyllis Fenn Cunningham
(American, 1903 - 2003)
Date1950-1979
MediumPapier-mâché, synthetic, wood, paint, paper, wire, cotton, ink, sequins
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 25 x 11 x 4in. (63.5 x 27.9 x 10.2cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Stanhope F. Cunningham
Object number2013.182.7
DescriptionRod puppet of a Christmas Angel composed of a wooden stick attached to a papier-mâché head. The face has painted features (probably using watercolor) including pink cheeks and lips, blond brows, and blue eyes. She is dressed in a white synthetic robe decorated on front with four gold foil paper stars, on back with two gold foil paper stars, and a gold sequined belt with a multicolored flower at the back and white wings edged in gold foil paper. Her hair is made of yellow synthetic yarn and crowned with a gold sequined halo with a gold foil paper star adhered at the center of her forehead. Her arms are constructed of twisted pink and white pipe cleaners and hold a book made of gold foil paper with a stitched inscription on the front in pink thread that possibly reads "GOOD BOOK." An inscription written in ink in the interior of the book, on left, reads "SAINT NICOLAS / FOR GOOD / BOYS AND GIRLS / I. STAN CUNNINGHAM"; on right, "Good Book." Probably used with St. Nicholas puppet (2013.182.8) in a play, "The Legends of St. Nicholas," written at the request of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it was performed.
Status
Not on view
