Marionette puppets, also known as string puppets, have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, with the oldest written records dating back to Ancient Greece and the 5th century BC in the works of Greek historian Herodotus.

Throughout history, marionette puppets have been used in different cultures for various purposes, namely theatrical storytelling and political satire. But their exact origins are still a bit of an unsolved mystery. Puppets have been found in Egyptian tombs circa 2000 BC, and some theories are looking at the origins of puppets through ritualistic dolls.

Marionette puppetry has thrived in particular pockets around the world, including the Czech Republic where puppetry exploded in popularity during the mid-18th century. Today there are nine professional puppet theatres in the Czech Republic, 100 independent groups, and 300 amateur companies still preserving the traditions of Czech puppetry. Some of the puppets featured in this article are made by Czech artists creating custom marionette puppets in these same traditions.

You can even get a portrait marionette puppet based on your own likeness.

 

Marionette Puppets

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Article References:

The Origin of Puppetry, Puppet Nerd

Czech Puppets in the Past, Visit Czech Republic

 

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