Featured UNUSUAL OLD ELEPHANT PUPPET - TOY? PROFESSIONAL?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by journeymagazine, Aug 29, 2018.

  1. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Found this last week. Has the most unusual neck connection! Also the nails there makes me think this may have some age.
    Any ideas what this was for; toy or stage? Seems like a lot of work to the neck for a toy?
    Also there is something written on one foot; maybe an autograph?
    I had to ask because this is the most unusual elephant I've seen!
    Thanks all
    AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 1AA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 2AAA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 3AA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 4AA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 4AAA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 5AA.jpg AA EBAY NEW A COLLECTIBLE EBAY EBAY TOY ELEPHANT PUPPET 6AA.jpg
     
  2. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

  3. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Very doubtful of 1970s date.

    Debora
     
  4. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I'm going to be watching this. I have a "cat" marionette similarly constructed, but a bit older looking. It was a gift from my son in the 80's (probably picked out by his dad who often shopped at "Asian arts and antiques" places in DC in that period.) The ropes look thinner and more worn. The neck is the same idea, but the the cane pieces are thinner too. Different shape and rope attachment for the bar.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  5. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Debora, where did you see 70's date? I looked at listing & didn't see it there?
    You don't think by the nails used in the neck area that this is from 70's - or even 60's? Then I won't add a date - I can say vintage right?
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  6. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Link above dates to 1960s, Etsy link dates to 1970s. I'd disagree with both. IMHO new or new-ish.

    Debora
     
    Lucille.b and Jivvy like this.
  8. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    Can't help you date, but if you search on "burmese elephant puppet", you'll find a bunch.

    edit: "thai elephant puppet" also works
     
    anundverkaufen and i need help like this.
  9. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Good grief! There aren't enough marionette theaters in all the world to accommodate that number of fill-in-the-country antique-vintage-old elephant puppets on offer.

    Debora
     
    Jivvy likes this.
  10. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    669D893B-B631-46D6-85FF-E5F14575F09B.jpeg This is some back story info from a collector site.
     
    komokwa likes this.
  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    And now they're from the 1920s and as far afield as México (a country known for both it's marionettes and elephants.) I think modern Asian decorative object is sufficient. IMHO.

    Debora
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2018
    Jivvy and i need help like this.
  12. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

  13. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Agree, I wouldn't dwell too much on age. It is not an antique, and whether 1960s or 70s doesn't really matter that much.
    What sells is that they are elephants, and who doesn't like elephants?
    These elephant puppets were probably already made in the 1400s and still made today. Traditional is a good term to use, as is vintage, which would apply in this case imo.

    Not sure the 1920s one is that old. It looks antiqued to me. And a week in the water of the klongs of Bangkok will probably give it the same look.:eek:
     
    Jivvy and judy like this.
  14. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

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