A Brief History of Puppetry

Puppet-like figures, such as rattles and masks, were used as religious symbols by the medicine men of primitive tribes. Ancient Egyptian puppets have been found buried in the Pyramids. Aristotle and Archimedes make reference to articulated figures in their writings; so we know puppets existed in Greece and later in the Roman Empire.

In the Middle Ages, puppets went to church, telling stories from the Bible. The word “marionette” came into use at this time, referring to the puppet replica of the Virgin Mary, “marionette” being the French title for “little Mary”.

Puppets, being essentially satirical and good comedians; were eventually banished by the Church, and soon were found on street corners and in fairs, amusing everyone with their antics.

In Germany, puppets became very highly developed in theatre form and performed great plays and operas. In Italy, and especially in Sicily, the puppets were costumed in armor and retold the adventures of the Crusaders with many a fierce battle.

Besides the Sicilian Paladin puppets, “Pulcinella“ was popular in Italy. He was a hand puppet with a nose that curved down to meet his chin which curved up, a wicked smile, a hunched back and a big fat belly. Whenever Pulcinella traveled to another country, he adopted a new name, but was the same impudent rascal underneath. In France, he’s called Polichinelle; in Germany, Kasperl; in Austria, Hans Wurst; in Holland, Jean Pickleherring, and in England and later America, he became Mr. Punch.

In the 18th Century, puppets were the rage of the great artists and writers, and they performed great works of the finest creative minds of the day.

In recent times, puppets have appeared in movies, window displays and especially on TV shows where they have been very popular. Here in America, puppet shows are often for children, but in most other countries there are adult theatres where puppets perform in classic plays, operas and ballets.