Marionette Figure of a Prince, probably Burmese mid C20th
£45.00
Welcome to Intercollector retail sales. Here you will find many interesting items all ready for immediate purchase.
Marionette Figure of a Prince, probably Burmese mid C20th
This is a puppet figure of a man wearing elaborate dress suggestive of the royal court with billowing sleeves and a flaring skirt, the bold and striking design elaborately worked with sequins, stitching and minute bead work studded at the front with large coloured glass beads representing gems, his hands and face gilt with red and black detail, his feet clad in gilt boots and his head surmounted by a gilt and beaded conical helmet. Eight gilt strings are suspended from a double bar handle piece allowing the puppet master to operate the figure.The style of the dress suggests Burma which has a tradition of marionette puppetry (marionettes are a specific form of puppet where the figure is controlled by strings or rods) dating back to the late eighteenth century and still popular today with visitors to the country, now called Myanmar. Termed ‘Yoke thé’, the Burmese marionette tradition allowed political commentary under the guise of of an entertainment display. The standard ‘troupe’ comprised twenty seven characters, both animal and human, and this male figure is probably the ‘King’ (‘Mintayar gyi’). Dating is probably to the mid C20th and a little earlier than the female marionette figure also included in this sale. This figure is rather more majestic as befits his regal status.
| Size: | 36 x 28 cm total figure, head only is 12 cm high |
| Weight: | 330 grams |
| Date: | 1950s |
| Condition: | Very good condition, no issues |
| Price: | £45 |
Global shipping is available. We use standard Royal Mail Tracked and Signed For service.
If you would like a quote for the shipping cost please email us at shipping@intercollector.com.
Please see our Terms and Conditions Section 13 for more details.
Dispatched usually within 5 days from receipt of payment.
