Chinese Puppetry Appraisal

Traditional Chinese Opera Hand Puppet (Bu Dai Xi)

This is a traditional Chinese opera hand puppet, likely used in Bu Dai Xi (glove puppet theatre). The puppet features a vibrant, hand-painted wooden or papier-mâché head with a striking red face, prominent dark eyebrows and mustache, and a full black beard, suggesting a character of strong personality or military prowess, possibly Guan Yu or a similar figure due to the red coloring. The costume is elaborate, made of what appears to be silk or a similar finely woven fabric, predominantly green with rich gold threading forming intricate patterns, likely dragons, clouds, or auspicious motifs. There are also accents of deep red and possibly other colors within the embroidery. The craftsmanship of the embroidery suggests a high level of detail and traditional techniques. There is noticeable wear and tear on the fabric, including discoloration, fraying, and some loss of metallic threading, indicating significant age and use. The head shows minor chipping or loss of paint, consistent with handling over time. The puppet's internal structure is not visible, but the typical construction involves a hollow body for the puppeteer's hand, leading down to the characteristic 'feet' which are visible at the bottom of the image, appearing to be crafted from painted wood or resin in a blocky, stylized boot shape with white soles. The puppet's overall condition suggests it is an authentic, well-loved piece, likely late 19th to mid-20th century, retaining its original artistic integrity despite the signs of age.