Item HT 4266 Marionette - Le Forgeron Marionettes, Wizard, 1930-1956

Summary

Hand made marionette depicting a wizard. It was manufactured and operated in Melbourne by Alex and Murray Smith, who performed as part of Le Forgeron Marionettes from 1930 until 1956.

Physical Description

Marionette depicting a wizard, who is wearing nearly knee-length black jacket with matching three quarter length pants. His collar and cuffs have been trimmed in green and he has four green buttons down his front. The Wizard's jacket has been decorated in stars and crescent moons, which have been cut out of green fabric and sown on his front and back. His green shoes have been painted on, with black detailing. His legs are quite tanned, whereas his hands and face have been painted in a peachy colour. The Wizard retains much of his blue hair and beard, although his moustache has disintegrated. There is little cracking to his facial paintwork and no chipping, although the paint is worn and slightly dirty. He has large plastic eyes which bulge out of his head. This marionette has a three piece mechanism. There are operating strings attached to numerous parts of him, including his head, limbs and shoulders. The feet have been weighted