Puppet - Wood, Metal, Textile, Plume - 1940-1950

Couple of antique theatre puppets
Central Europe — Mid 20th century

Carved wood, repoussé metal and antique textiles
Rare set consisting of two string theatre puppets representing military and knightly characters, probably from Central Europe (Czechoslovakia, Hungary or Austria), made around the 1940s-1960s.

These pieces display remarkable artisanal work combining:

hand-sculpted and hand-painted heads,
repoussé and engraved metal armors,
antique textiles in rich red and brown tones,
possible original mobile joints.

The first puppet depicts an oriental warrior or janissary, recognizable by its expressive polychrome face, its decorated shield and curved saber.
The second represents a musketeer or guard captain in a Renaissance/baroque-inspired outfit, crowned with a red-and-black plume helmet, equipped with a rapier and a large shield.

The set exudes a strong theatrical and decorative presence, typical of itinerant popular theatres in Central Europe in the 20th century.

Dimensions

Large warrior puppet: 80 × 18 cm
Musketeer puppet: 40 × 15 cm

Condition

Good overall condition with wear, oxidation and patina consistent with age.
Some signs of use visible, adding to the authentic charm of the pieces.

Provenance

Former private collection.

Ideal for:
old puppet collections,
cabinets of curiosities,
theatrical or scenographic decoration,
collectors of European folk arts.