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ID #SA1121447
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19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette
The House of Antiques
for sale €801     $870
£685
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
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19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette

19th century
Description

19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette

In the rare form of an Arabic clothed gentle with long turned up moustache. The head, hands and feet are all hand carved, still wearing its original metal embroidery clothing. Wearing a delightful hand carved turban with original hanging hook still in place.

Size in inches: H 37 x W 9” x D 5”

Origin: Italy

Date: 19th Century

Condition: Fair

Naturally aged item that has stood the test of time, worn surface resulting is loss of painted surface and torn and faded clothing with missing detail as shown in the photos provided. An item dated over 100 years old so please expect this in its condition and obvious use over the years. This item does not stand alone but is solid in form without breaks or structural damage.

We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase.

A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer.

For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please review our client feedback as a testament to our products and services. Expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, we only restore due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report if this has been down before or after we have obtained them.

Physical Dimensions
Height
94cm (37.01")
Width
22.9cm (9.02")
Depth
12.7cm (5.00")
Declaration

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Sicilian Wooden Marionette to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1121447
Dealers Internal Reference
arab puppet
Description
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette

In the rare form of an Arabic clothed gentle with long turned up moustache. The head, hands and feet are all hand carved, still wearing its original metal embroidery clothing. Wearing a delightful hand carved turban with original hanging hook still in place.

fig 1. A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
fig 1. 19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette

Size in inches: H 37 x W 9” x D 5”

Origin: Italy

Date: 19th Century

Condition: Fair

Naturally aged item that has stood the test of time, worn surface resulting is loss of painted surface and torn and faded clothing with missing detail as shown in the photos provided.
The House of Antiques

An item dated over 100 years old so please expect this in its condition and obvious use over the years. This item does not stand alone but is solid in form without breaks or structural damage.

fig 2. A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
fig 2. 19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette

We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase.

A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer.

fig 3. A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
fig 3. 19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette

For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please review our client feedback as a testament to our products and services. Expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, we only restore due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report if this has been down before or after we have obtained them.

Height
94cm (37.01")
Width
22.9cm (9.02")
Depth
12.7cm (5.00")
Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Sicilian Wooden Marionette to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1121447
Dealers Internal Ref
arab puppet
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
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Archive I A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.

19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-crafted Puppet Marionette

Archive II A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XV
Archive XVI A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XVI
Archive XVII A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features. View XVII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 141
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
141
Sold
11
A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
Ref: SA1121447
A 19th-century Sicilian hand-carved wooden marionette puppet in a seated position, wearing a sequined off-white tunic and tall cylindrical hat with dark painted facial features.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Sicilian marionettes, known as pupi, originated in the early 19th century as central figures in popular puppet theatre traditions across Sicily. These theatrical performances depicted historical romantic poems, chivalric tales, and legendary battles, serving as a vital form of folk entertainment and storytelling.

Traditional 19th-century marionettes were constructed using hand-carved wood for the head, hands, and feet, attached to a central wooden or stuffed cloth core. Costumes were crafted from hand-stitched textiles and often embellished with metallic thread, sequins, or hammered brass and iron armour pieces.

Authentic period marionettes feature hand-carved wood displaying chisel marks, natural age patination, and hand-painted facial features with visible wear. Costumes typically exhibit hand-sewn seams, aged natural textiles, and historical oxidation on metal fittings or decorative embellishments.

Designers frequently position these sculptural figures as statement art objects on bookshelves, mantelpieces, or console tables. Mounting the puppet inside a custom shadow box or displaying it upright on a simple metal stand highlights its theatrical history while creating a focal point within eclectic or period interiors.

Keep the item in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, excess moisture, and direct heat sources to prevent wood splitting and fabric deterioration. Clean gently using a soft, dry microfibre brush to remove surface dust without disturbing loose threads or delicate sequins.
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