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Shadow Puppet

MOA: University of British Columbia

3338/21 a-h

Eight shadow puppet cloud props. Each cloud is made up of many smaller cumulus-like clouds as well as winding swirls throughout and extending up to a point - outlined in blues, golden oranges, red or black. Parts a and b are the same design.

  • 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.

  • History Of Use

    These piyingxi (shadow puppet) clouds are from the classic Chinese narrative, "Journey to the West", sometimes known as "Monkey King". They represent clouds, for the Eight Immortal characters, who are each shown standing on a cloud, to indicate their identity as an immortal being.

  • Type of Item puppet
  • Culture Chinese
  • Material cow skin, watercolour paint, lacquer
  • Measurements height 15.5 cm, width 16.5 cm, depth 0.1 cm (part a)
  • Creator Lu Family
  • Previous Owner Lu Family
  • Received from Lu Family, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget
  • Made in Tangshan
  • Creation Date during 2018
  • Ownership Date before December 21, 2018
  • Acquisition Date on December 21, 2018
  • Condition excellent
  • Accession Number 3338/00

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