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Shadow Puppet

MOA: University of British Columbia

3338/13 a-c

Li Tieguai shadow puppet with separate head (part b) and crutch (part c). He has long curly black hair, a curly scraggy beard and a dirty face. He wears a black robe with small red or green cloud decorations, tied at the waist with a red sash, and with red pants showing under the bottom of the robe. On his hip is a yellow gourd(?). He has bare feet. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hips. Operated by three rods. He has a black crutch accessory. 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

    This character is Li Tieguai (or Iron Crutch Li), 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, watercolour paint, lacquer, fibre, bamboo grass, steel metal
  • Measurements height 16.8 cm, width 2.0 cm, depth 0.1 cm (part c) height 57.5 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 1.0 cm (overall)
  • 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 3338/0013 a-c

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