No depth (only 2D); requires precise lighting; limited facial expression. 5. Ventriloquist Figures Construction: A seated or standing puppet, often with a movable mouth, eyes, and sometimes eyebrows. The head is attached to a body with a slot for the ventriloquist’s hand. Inside the head is a simple lever or trigger for the jaw.
Rods can be visible; requires coordination between two hands. 3. Marionettes (String Puppets) Construction: A fully articulated puppet made of wood, foam, or plastic, with strings or threads attached to a wooden or metal control (called the “crutch” or “controller”). Typical attachment points: head, shoulders, back, knees, hands, and sometimes elbows and hips. different types of puppets
Indonesian Wayang Kulit , Greek shadow theater’s Karagiozis , Chinese Piyingxi . No depth (only 2D); requires precise lighting; limited
Introduction Puppetry is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, dating back at least 3,000 years to ancient Egypt, India, and Greece. A puppet is a movable object manipulated by a puppeteer to create the illusion of life. While all puppets share this goal, the techniques and mechanics vary enormously. Below is a comprehensive taxonomy of the major puppet types, from the most common to the highly specialized. 1. Hand or Glove Puppets Construction: A hollow head and fabric body that fits over the puppeteer’s hand like a glove. The thumb operates one arm, the middle finger the head, and the remaining fingers the other arm. The head is attached to a body with