Shadow puppet of the character Hadschiewad, made of semi-transparent animal skin and a watery paint. The bearded man wears a small tri-coloured hat and loose clothing, one hand held to his sharp nose. The other arm falls to the side, separate from the puppet and attached by a string tie to create movement, as are the legs. The skin of the object is punctured to show lines in the clothing.

• Narrative

  Collected by the donor in Istanbul in the early 1970s.

• History Of Use

  Shadow puppet character, from the Turkish shadow play known as "Karagöz & Hacivat". The play dates back to the Ottoman Empire (c. 1299-1923). It follows the escapades and fights of the two central characters from whom it takes its name. These friends are opposites in many ways: Karagöz (Black Eye) is illiterate and coarse, but well-intentioned, and very funny. Whereas Hacivat is pretentious and conceited, well-spoken and amusing. The plays are full of wit and satire and social and ethnic stereotypes as well as supernatural characters, such as monsters and magicians. Karagöz shadow puppetry was inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

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• Type of Item puppet
• Culture Turkish
• Material skin, paint, cotton fibre
• Measurements height 13.5 cm, width 5.0 cm, depth 0.2 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Rudi Kovanic
• Received from Rudi Kovanic

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• Made in Turkey
• Collected in Istanbul

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• Creation Date before 1970
• Ownership Date before October 31, 2014
• Acquisition Date on October 31, 2014

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• Condition excellent
• Accession Number 3084/0005