A SET WITH 21 HAND PAINTED CHINESE SHADOW PUPPETS, 1930s

Hand painted hide, small metal rods
China, around 1930


This set with a total of 21 shadow puppets is a colorful collection of Chinese folk art. In the set we find a horse, two large fish, a dragon-like beast and human as well as demon figures. Most have their rods for moving in place.

Originating 2000 years ago, shadow puppetry soon became a people’s art form in China. Its simplicity, portability and nighttime performances were perfectly suited for the working classes. Farmers and laborers took up puppeteering, singing, musical instruments and storytelling after the sun went down to create a tradition that became the heart of their communities. All night performances were held for any and all occasions such as birthdays, weddings, house raisings, and funerals. In its heyday, Chinese shadow puppetry was popular in nearly every province making it one of the most wide-spread folk arts of China. Each region lent their own personality to the art form in everything from aesthetic to musical influences.

Shape: figural
Dimensions: average height of one puppet is approx. 35 cm
Condition: Overall good condition with usual signs of age and wear, small parts missing
Provenance: German private collection

一組十二張手工上色的中國皮影戲偶，上世紀三十年代
手工上色皮紙，小金屬絲桿
中國，約1930年

造型：人物
尺寸：人偶高約 35 厘米
品相：整體保存良好，有通常的年代與使用痕跡，局部有磨損，小件遺失
來源：德國私人收藏