This original prankster with a moving mouth was created around 1940 by a professional Czech carver Josef Chochol (1894-1950). All materials used to make this marionette are original and of very high quality.
In the case of the sale of this puppet, we dedicate half of the amount collected to the development of PUP - Puppet University Prague
This antique marionette is truly unique. Apart from the mouth, which can move, jingle bells on its clothes and beautiful fringes on its jacket, it is extraordinary mainly due to its comic, lively expression. It is professionally carved from linden wood and hand-painted. This comedian's rosy cheeks and wooden hair will definitely never bore you. This piece of history will stand out perfectly in the collection of any marionette enthusiast.
Josef's father and grandfather also professionally engaged in marionette carving. In 1920, he received an apprenticeship in carving and thus completed the family tradition. He carved marionettes for folk puppeteers, but devoted much of his work to creating puppets for amateur puppet ensembles. His work excelled at a professional level, the marionette heads were expressively modeled, he consistently adhered to anatomical proportions, and worked with exaggeration on comic types.
Absolutely wonderful, better than expected.. a very talented puppet creator. Very pleased
Of course, the quality was good, and the packaging was careful. Pinocio also has a very cute face. It was the best!
This is fun because it can move like a human. I will practice so that I can control it better! I made a very good purchase. As expected, it's an authentic mionette!
Zlatna Kostova’s review: If you think you've already seen all the magic Prague has to offer, visit Czech Marionettes. It may well become the highlight of your trip. Walking into this beautiful workshop and gallery felt like stepping into another world – a world where every puppet has a personality, a history, and a soul. There are antique marionettes waiting to be lovingly restored, newly carved figures taking shape from blocks of linden wood, theatrical puppets, film puppets, one-of-a-kind collector's pieces, custom commissions, and charming souvenirs. Everywhere you look, you can feel that this is not simply a shop but a living workshop where Czech puppetry continues to flourish. Even before my visit, I knew that Czech puppetry is one of the country's great cultural traditions, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After spending time here, I understood why. This is not merely craftsmanship - it is an art form passed down through generations with extraordinary dedication and love. Lucie Robinson, the wonderful manager of Czech Marionettes, welcomed my friend Tanya and me with warmth and genuine enthusiasm. She shared how she herself fell in love with puppetry after making her very first marionette in the workshop of the internationally renowned master Martin Růžička. Through her stories - and through a fascinating video from Růžička's studio - we caught a glimpse of the artistry and passion behind his remarkable creations. Daniel then took us "behind the scenes", showing us sketches, designs, carving tools, unfinished puppets, and restoration projects. As he demonstrated the marionettes, he handled them as if they were living companions rather than wooden figures. His affection for them was impossible to miss and wonderfully contagious. Around us, the workshop was alive with creativity. One artist was carefully repairing the broom of an evil witch, while another was delicately painting the faces of the Princess and her Prince from "The Nutcracker" and refreshing their costumes. Watching these characters slowly come to life was absolutely mesmerizing. Leaving Czech Marionettes was surprisingly difficult. It reminded me of the feeling I had the first time I entered the newly opened "The Moon-lit Room" puppet theatre in Sofia - you simply don't want the enchantment to end. If you are visiting Prague, don't miss this extraordinary place. Whether you are a collector, a theatre lover, an artist, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful craftsmanship, Czech Marionettes offers an unforgettable experience. I already know that every time I return to Prague, this will be one of my first stops.
I missed the opportunity to purchase a marionette when I was in Prague so I bought this one. It’s so well made. I’m excited to show my grandkids! Rozkošný!
Source of the reviews: Marionettes.cz, Google, Etsy
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