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Shadow Puppet

MOA: University of British Columbia

3338/14 a-c

Han Zhongli shadow puppet with separate head (part b) and magic fan (part c). He has long black hair, with two buns tied with red ribbon on his head. His face is heavily lined in red, and he has a long black beard and moustache. He wears a long purple-pink robe with circular green vine and flower designs, bordered by red. On his feet, he wears black shoes with green details on the toes and heels, and red edging. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hips. Operated by three rods. The fan is orange-yellow with diagonal alternating bands of red and green on the blade, and a red fire-like detail on top. There is a small loop at the end of the shaft for the puppet's fingers.

  • 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

    The character is Han Zhongli (or Zhongli Quan), 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.

  • Type of Item puppet
  • Culture Chinese
  • Material cow skin, bamboo grass, steel metal, watercolour paint, lacquer, fibre
  • Measurements height 62.0 cm, width 9.0 cm, depth 1.0 cm (overall) height 15.0 cm, width 4.0 cm, depth 0.1 cm (part c)
  • 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 3338/0014 a-c

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