Friday, April 12, 2013

The Art of Play: A Mr. Punch by Fred Tickner, 1975


Mr. Punch
Fred Tickner, 1975
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The great Fred Tickner was acclaimed for his beautifully-made puppets—especially his Mr. Punch figures. Tickner was an inspiration for generations of puppet makers, including Bryan Clarke who made my Mr. Punch.


This example of Tickner’s brilliant work dates to around 1975 and is houses in the V&A. A traditional glove puppet of Mr Punch, it has been hand-carved for the face and hands, which are hand-painted. Punch’s characteristic hair is made of imitation fur.

His costume is traditional, yet unique. He wears a pine green hat adorned with small yellow felt circles and a handsome black felt hat-band which has been trimmed with yellow braid and green rosettes anchored with metal studs. Instead of bright red, he wears a raspberry pink corduroy jacket with unusual turquoise corduroy front panels. The entire costume is trimmed with yellow braid and yellow buttons, with a yellow ribbed fabric ruff edged with red braid. His breeches match his hat, and his legs are painted yellow with blue-painted shoes decorated with red and black felt shoe roses.



25 comments:

April said...

Herman Munster.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Darn! Darn! Darn!

Matt said...

Lurch.

Carolyn said...

The wicked witch.

Joseph Crisalli said...

And your little dog, too.

Barb said...

The moon.

Joseph Crisalli said...

That's amore.

Gene said...

Would I be predictable if I said my mother in law?

Joseph Crisalli said...

"If it fits, wear it." To quote Kathie Lee Gifford.

Sam P said...

A zit.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Ew, no.

Angelo said...

Pesto ravioli.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Mmmmmmmmm...wrong.

Kathy said...

French macaroons.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Mmmmmm...also wrong.

Joseph Crisalli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joseph Crisalli said...

You guys confused me! I blame April. Why, April, did you post your riddle answer here? Everyone else followed your lead. You're a wicked, wicked girl. You led the sheep astray!

April said...

I'm proud of what I have done and I will not bow to your archaic perception of what should go where. I'm a free spirit, baby. I won't give in to the man.

Joseph Crisalli said...

I'll remember that.

Carolyn said...

I just scanned the page and licked on the highest number of comments, thinking it was the puzzle. Oooooopsy. I hope I'm forgiven. ;)

Joseph Crisalli said...

You licked on the highest number of comments? Merciful heavens! Doesn't that ruin your iPad? Of course, all are forgiven.

Dashwood said...

Now I wanna post here too! And I'll a Cathy Anderson sized fit and hide under the bed until you let me.

Or... does that now make me an equivocating sheep.

Joseph Crisalli said...

No, no, Dashwood. Be my guest. Everyone can post whatever they want, wherever they want. Let's go back to 2010 and post riddle answers on a "Goal for the Day." Or...or...

I don't know. It's a world gone mad.

Darcy said...

I don't really have anything else to say but I kind of felt left out so I'm posting this here.
I want to be a rebel too! Just like all the cool kids.
Oh, and Bo Peep told me I should.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Never go against the peep.