Chinese Hand Marionette Puppet (Black Lion)

Chinese puppets were invented over 2,000 years ago. Chinese puppets were at the height of their development during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Puppet shows were performed for kings and queens in the royal courts. The Chinese province of Fujian continues to be where the most skilled Chinese puppet craftsmen live and work. Chinese puppets are modeled after characters in the Chinese opera, and there are also shows and performances that have been written strictly for Chinese puppet shows. Each puppet's style of clothing and make-up represents a different character in Chinese puppet shows. Chinese hand puppets can be operated with one or two hands, one hand operates the puppet's head and hands, and the other hand operates the puppet's legs. Puppet show troupes are still well-known in China today, and some puppet troupes even perform abroad. This hand puppet is twelve inches tall. This puppet was handmade in China.