Puppet representing Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. Plaster head, hands and a legs decorated with polychrome pigments. The puppet wears a black suit, a white shirt and a black tie. Operating rod attached through the puppet's head with various strings attached to the puppet's body. One leg broken and one leg detached but present.
In the first half of the 20th century there were 4 main manufacturers of puppets, with around 100 different characters. The characters were largely stock characters which 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.
