Item HT 4268 Marionette - Le Forgeron Marionettes, Ringmaster, 1930-1956

Summary

Hand made marionette depicting a circus ringmaster. 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 male ringmaster, who is wearing black tails, with a white shirt underneath, and green trousers. His hands, feet and head have been painted yellow. His painted brown sandals have faded, but his brown felt soles are still intact. The head has been made in a different style to the other marionettes. He has a large red smile and eyes, with a green nose and ears. The Ringmaster wears a black top hat with an increasingly detached, faded leather rim (now turning green) and a green ribbon tied around the base. This marionette is attached to 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