Grandmother Marionette Appraisal

Vintage-Style Hand-Crafted Grandmother String Puppet Marionette

This is a detailed string puppet marionette representing an elderly woman, often referred to in folk art as a 'Grandmother' or 'Old Lady' character. The figure stands approximately 10 to 12 inches tall and features a hand-painted head, likely made of composition, papier-mâché, or polymer clay, with realistic facial features including painted blue eyes and wire-rimmed spectacles. The puppet is dressed in a sophisticated ensemble consisting of a dark brown turtleneck, a plaid or textured wool-like blazer with lapels, and matching greyish-brown trousers. A notable accessory is the miniature red pillbox hat adorned with a small bow and feather-like textile details, contrasting sharply with her shoulder-length greyish-brown synthetic hair. The clothing appears custom-sewn with significant attention to scale and layering. Miniature jewelry, including a metallic chain necklace, adds to the character's detail. The construction involves a multi-string control system, with one prominent wire or heavy string visible extending from the head. The condition appears to be good vintage state, with minor dusting on the fabric and slight fraying possible on the textile edges. The character's expression is stern yet refined, typical of mid-to-late 20th-century European-style marionette craftsmanship, possibly of Czech or German origin given the style of the facial molding and costume design.