String puppet depicting an old woman, possibly a witch, wearing a blue apron with a red fringe below, beige sleeved upper garment, and with a bag tied at the waist. The painted plaster head has ugly features. The hands and shoes are also painted. A metal rod and operating bar are attached through the head, with four textile strings tied to the hands and legs.
In the first half of the 20th century there were four main manufacturers of puppets, with around 100 different characters. The characters were largely stock characters that could be used to tell a variety of stories. Story books were also produced, and families would perform the stories in their homes. Faust and Don Juan were popular. Many were Czech folk tales. 'Death and the Godmother' was one. The devil featured in many stories. Šaldová, Lenka, Dr. Theatre Department, Czech National Museum. 2014.
