Puppet
MakerMade by
Phyllis Fenn Cunningham
(American, 1903 - 2003)
Date1950-1979
MediumPapier-mâché, synthetic, wool, cotton, cardboard, paint, sequins
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 35 x 13 x 6 1/4in. (88.9 x 33 x 15.9cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Stanhope F. Cunningham
Object number2013.182.8
DescriptionRod puppet of St. Nicholas composed of a cardboard tube body and a papier-mâché head with painted features (probably using watercolor) including red cheeks and nose, and blue eyes. His hair is made of white cotton batting. His left arm is also made of a cardboard tube and his hands consist of white wool felt. He wears a grey cotton alb, or robe, with a red wool felt cross applied to the chest and a gold emblem of an "x" enclosed in a circle sewn at its center. Over the robe he wears a red wool cappa, or cape, with a gold braided boarder and a red ribbon tie. He holds a crosier, or staff, composed of a silver synthetic fabric in his right hand. Attached to his head is a mitre, or headdress, made of gold synthetic fabric with gold trimming and a red wool interior. A gold and red sequined cross is attached to the front of the headdress. The sleeve that conceals the cardboard tube rod and covers the puppeteer's wrist and arm is made of a black cotton fabric. Probably used with Christmas Angel puppet (2013.182.7) 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
