Puppet - Wood

Wooden painted marionette with string — Peddler with a glassware box and a fan
France, late 19th century.

Characterful marionette evoking a peddler in XVIIIth-century-inspired costume. The face, painted with arched brows and delicately drawn lips, is framed by dark hair. A burgundy tricorn adorned with gold trim highlights the silhouette.

The blue‑gray coat with violet reflections is paired with a blue plastron, a light lace trim, and a broad burgundy bow. Black breeches, light stockings, and black shoes decorated with small bows complete the outfit.

Carried at the front by a strap, the wooden box with a hinged lid reveals compartments filled with miniature glassware: tall‑necked flasks and a small handled container. A pleated fan set on the side and a folded paper accessory complete this richly detailed ensemble. The combination of the box, the glass objects, and the textile fittings makes an expressive piece for a collection of marionettes or miniature crafts.

Construction combines hand-painted wooden elements with flexible textile parts; cords linked to a wooden control.
All elements are old and original: marionette, costume, accessories, thread and control.

Character dimensions: height about 45 cm, excluding cords and control, width 25 cm, depth 15 cm. Weight: 2 kg.

Beautiful antique condition, with an authentic patina that testifies to time and history. The nuances of the painted wood and textiles contribute to the character of this collectible piece. The overall and detailed photographs allow precise assessment of its condition.

The string marionettes belong to the tradition of animated figure theatre. Manipulated from above, they are suspended by cords gathered on a wooden control, called a control rod or cross. The puppeteer operates this setup to give the character its postures and movements. Used by artists and companies, but also in amateur and family theatres, they bring to life stories, comic scenes, and musical or dance numbers. Characters representing trades and musicians evoke a relatable popular world, immediately recognizable through costume and accessories. These objects unite sculpture, painting, textile work, and miniature craftsmanship—qualities highly valued in collections devoted to old theatre and toys.

Lot comprising a marionette, its wooden control, its cords, and the accessories shown with it in the original photographs.

Photographic presentation: the first ten images show a cut-out against a neutral background, with IA-assisted or cleaned backgrounds. The marionette, its cords, and its accessories are preserved. The nine unretouched original photographs follow to document the object and its condition. The background decorative accessories are not part of the lot.