Shadow Puppet Item Number: 3338/17 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
He Xiangu shadow puppet with separate head (part b) and lotus flower (part c). She is depicted with a cutout face, and long black hair that is partially tied up on her head, and then the rest extends down. Her hair is tied with red ribbon and decorated with flowers. She wears a pink robe with various coloured cloud(?) decorations. Her pants are light green, exposing only the tip of her red shoes with pink pompoms on the toes. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hips. Operated by three rods. The lotus flower is white and pink, and the stem and leaf are bright green. There is a small loop for the puppet's fingers.
History Of Use
Represents the He Xiangu character, one of the Eight Immortals. This piyingxi (shadow puppet) character is from the classic Chinese narrative, “Journey to the West,” sometimes known as “Monkey King,” which is full of action, acrobatics, and martial arts. Puppets 3338/8-20 represent the four main characters (Pigsy, Monkey King, Sandman, Buddhist Monk), their horse, and the Eight Immortals, who are associated with the stylized clouds (3338/21-22), which indicate their identities as immortal beings.
Iconographic Meaning
The puppet is made in a classic north-eastern design (Luanzhou), from Luanzhouzhen in Heibei Province, one of the historically renowned regions of shadow puppetry in China.
Specific Techniques
The cowhide is scraped extremely thin which, together with their jointed limbs, makes these puppets highly flexible when they perform high kicks, jumps, and flips. When performing, their distinctive designs and vibrant colours are visible on the glowing screen, enhancing the magical effects of the characters in motion.
Item History
What
- Name
- Shadow Puppet
- Identification Number
- 3338/17 a-c
- Type of Item
- puppet
- Material
- cow skin, watercolour paint, fibre, bamboo grass, steel metal and lacquer
- Overall
- height 61.0 cm, width 12.0 cm, depth 1.0 cm
- Part C
- height 16.0 cm, width 6.0 cm, depth 0.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Creator
- Lu Family (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Lu Family
- Received from
- Lu Family (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tangshan, Hebei, China
When
- Creation Date
- during 2018
- Ownership Date
- before December 21, 2018
- Acquisition Date
- on December 21, 2018
Other
- Condition
- excellent
- Accession Number
- 3338/0017 a-c