Shadow puppet of a female warrior (wudan) (Mu Guiying), made from semi-translucent cut, punched and painted cow hide. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows and hips. The puppet (part a) has a large detachable head (part b). Her face is cutout, and outlined in black with small angled red lips. She wears a large headdress with green, red or pink pompoms, and large red tassels hanging from the front. Two large light brown extensions made to look like pheasant feathers come out of the top of the headdress and trail behind her. She has a bow and quiver full of arrows on her side. She wears four large green with red, yellow, orange and blue flags(?). Her body armour is very detailed with lots of punched-out patterns, vertical bands of alternating red and green padding, and a yellow fringe across her chest and arms. Operated by three bamboo and steel rods.

• 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

  This Guardian figure represents Mu Guiying, a female warrior (wudan) and the heroine of the Yang saga. Her headdress design incorporates two long pheasant feathers--a style inspired, like other aspects of her clothing, by traditional Chinese opera costumes. The body of the puppet is made to fit interchangeable heads. Each of the other heads (3338/2-7) represent one of the five common archetypes: female protagonist, male protagonist, warrior (painted face), bearded man, and clown.

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• Type of Item puppet
• Culture Chinese
• Material watercolour paint, lacquer, fibre, bamboo grass, steel metal, cow skin
• Measurements height 101.0 cm, width 42.0 cm, depth 1.0 cm (overall)

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• Creator Lu Family
• Previous Owner Lu Family
• Received from Lu Family, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget

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• Made in Tangshan

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• Creation Date during 2018
• Ownership Date before December 21, 2018
• Acquisition Date on December 21, 2018

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3338/0001 a-b