Item HT 4289 Marionette - Le Forgeron Marionettes, Monkey on Trapeze, 1930-1956

Summary

Hand made marionette depicting a monkey haging from a trapeze by its tail. 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 monkey, which is made of brown fake fur (which is now considerably worn.) His hands and feet are made of beige felt; they have several large holes in them and are discoloured. The hands and feet have been stuffed with straw, and shaped with wire. The monkey's face is made of light brown felt, which has several large holes in it, exposing his straw stuffing. His chin has been made in a white fabric. The eyes are plastic, clear with a black pupil. His felt ears are sown onto his head, above which sits his red felt skullcap. There are wire hooks protruding from one foot and two of his hands, perhaps something was once thread through them. The monkey hangs by his tail from a cylindrical piece of wood, which is attached to the one piece mechanism by two lengths of rope.