Description

20th C. Paper and fabric Chinese characters

I may be mis-nationalising these characters but I think the footwear, costume and facial hair leads to them probably being depictions of Chinese figures. They are constructed on a card back and may be intended to be puppets.

The front side of the pieces are wrapped in various fabrics for the clothing. The shoes and hands are mostly made from paper as are some of the additional element such as the musical instruments that some of them are carrying. The faces are made from fabric and hand painted. The extravagantly long beards that three of the characters have is made from a coarse animal hair.

There is some deterriotaion to the pieces in places, particularly some mould marks to the faces of a couple of them but they are otherwise in good condition. There are no means to ensure that they stand up – I photographed them leaning against a glass to take the photos but could be displayed either framed or via a hook structure attached to the back of each – a bit like a plate hanger.

Measurements:

Each measures approx 27cm tall and 8cm wide