A puppet is a type of toy that is created for the theater. The figure is moved by a human puppeteer using strings attached to the toy's limbs. Fabric is mainly used for its creation, but some parts are still made of other materials.
The history of puppets
The first figure with movable body parts appeared in the foreseeable past as a participant in religious actions. These were statues of gods, in whose honor ritual actions were performed. At first, only the head of these figures or statues turned - the earthly incarnation of the god seemed to survey the assembled flock and assess the degree of servility and obsequiousness. In order for people to have different feelings, the facial expressions of such statues also changed - from smiling to angry.
Something similar happened in Ancient Egypt during the annual celebration of Osiris. Priests carried statues with rotating heads during religious processions. All of them depicted the god to whom this action was dedicated. Statues were installed near the walls of the temple of ancient Hierapolis, whose heads also turned, carefully examining the people entering. This was done to create the appropriate atmosphere, as well as to maintain the indisputable authority of religious figures.
Please note! In Ancient Rome, the figure of Jupiter indicated with its head the direction in which it needed to be carried, and with its nod it indicated the stopping place, where the deity’s prediction was carried out.
It should be clarified that such figures and statues were not called puppets at all. And it would be a stretch to call them dolls either. Rather, they served as prototypes for puppets and examples for their creation. And this happened when artisans began to make smaller copies of divine statues and other figures capable of imitating human movements.
The masters awarded small figures with great possibilities - not only their heads moved, but also their arms, legs, even their eyes and lower jaw were mobile. More and more complex mechanisms for controlling the dolls, schemes for connecting moving parts were invented. As a result, the puppets could sit down, stand up, walk, dance, make complex movements, and perform gestures that everyone understood. Such dolls became regular participants at all holidays, feasts, and banquets. They were hung on the Christmas tree.
Features of the doll
The marionette doll has one very important feature that distinguishes it from other toys. A marionette is a theatrical toy that has lived on stage for several thousand years. The most skilled marionette makers were in Italy, so this country is the ancestor of these dolls. The name "marionette" itself appeared here. In Venice, there was a custom when several girls were married at the same time. 12 girls left their houses in white dresses and went to the church, where their grooms were already waiting for them.
Important! This event had a citywide significance, it was public. Thus, each girl's family tried to boast of its wealth, decorating their bride with gold jewelry.
In 944, when the festival was taking place, the lovely brides were kidnapped by pirates who landed on the shore and then carried off on their ships. The grooms chased them, caught up with the enemies, took revenge for the robbery and the dishonor of the girls. After this incident, the festival of Mary arose in Venice (it is quite possible that this was the name of one of the girls). Over time, holding this festival became unprofitable for the city authorities. Then it was decided to make 12 large dolls.
The established ritual was observed. The city treasury did not suffer - the festive outfits of the dolls did not change for many years. The dolls-brides were slightly larger than a person, they began to be called big Marias or Marions. Calculating artisans made mini-copies of the brides for the city residents. Therefore, the little Marias began to be called Marionettes. This name spread throughout the world.
Please note! Playing with puppets helps children develop speech, thinking, understanding of the world around them, and curiosity. Art toys teach independence in decision-making, the ability to communicate, find a compromise, and evaluate their own and others' actions.
The popularity of puppets grew. Already in Ancient Rome, every noble house had a collection of its own, home-made dolls. They were dressed in fashionable outfits, placed in different poses, imitating fragments of modern theatrical productions. Most often, in rich houses, such a puppet theater was located in the foyer so that all guests could see the wealth of the owners, their main preferences.
A boom of wandering artists with Buratino puppets began, who performed on the streets with one or two puppets. During such performances, the artists played musical instruments. The puppets, using ingenious devices, danced to the beat of the music, then bowed and addressed the public for a reward. As a rule, these were harmless entertainments that were perceived quite favorably by all social strata of the population.
The most successful itinerant artists increased their theatrical arsenal. The number of puppet toys on thin strings increased. They became more complex, and it was necessary to hire other artists to operate them. Thus, the first puppet theaters with puppets appeared, which defined the main purpose of a puppet with moving body parts, making the stage its calling.
Materials required for work
Before you learn how to make a doll on strings with your own hands, you should stock up on the following materials:
- ready-made drawing;
- a small ball made of polystyrene foam. It can be purchased in specialized stores for needlewomen. If you don’t have such a ball at hand, then you can use a rubber tennis ball, plastic or synthetic padding;
- white knitwear measuring 16×16 cm (to create the head);
- fabric for rolling 30x20 cm (for the body);
- a coil of thick rope: 35–40 cm (for legs), 20 cm (for arms);
- PVA glue;
- 2 thin narrow slats-sticks (for the “rocker arm”);
- scraps of material (you can take regular doll clothes. Many craftswomen cut the outfit according to their own wishes);
- pieces of multi-colored felt or colored paper;
- straws for weaving (the best alternative is floss);
- with scotch tape;
- with a pencil;
- thin threads;
- cardboard (template);
- with scissors;
- with a ruler.
Step-by-step instructions for making a puppet yourself
A puppet toy is very easy and simple to make with your own hands. You can involve your child in this exciting process. As a result of joint creativity at home, you can make a funny doll, for example, a marionette dog. A doll on strings at home can be made from different materials:
- plasticine;
- trees;
- threads.
Step-by-step master class on making a doll's head
To make a puppet toy with your own hands, you need to cut a piece of fabric 20x20 cm, you can take a piece of an old T-shirt or a sock (this is more convenient).
The balloon should be wrapped in material, pulling it tight. Then the fabric will have to be tied with a thick thread. There may be folds on the neck, but you don’t need to worry about that. They can be hidden with clothes, hair or some accessory, such as a hat.
Using paper, carefully cut out the eyes, mouth, nose. Using floss, braid the hair. Attach the hair with PVA glue.
Initially, a "twist" is made, but less dense than for a folk doll. It is best to make it loose. In this way, you can easily fold it in half. This will serve as the body. You need to pull the cord through the fold - these will be the legs. The head is attached to the upper part of the body.
For the puppet doll, you should sew a sarafan or pantsuit with your own hands. You need to use a rectangular patch, the width of which is approximately 2.5 times larger than the volume of the "roll". The upper part of the sarafan should be strung on a double thread, put on the doll, tightened and tied with a knot. The clothes are almost ready.
In this version, you can make light, puffy sleeves from rectangular pieces of fabric, stitching them together and then gathering them with a thin thread. The sleeves are sewn on where the sarafan or shirt joins.
To make feet with palms, a thread is wound on a piece of cardboard, then it must be removed and tied. This will make a pompom. You will have to use 4 blanks. You can tie the pompoms to the ends of the cord of the arms and legs. The puppet doll is ready. You can use a beautiful bow as a headband. It is best to use threads to create boots. Beads can be hung on the neck as decorations.
In conclusion, it should be noted that a hand-made puppet toy will bring a lot of positive emotions both during its creation and when playing with it.
