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Antique Puppet Theater

Chinese Opera Puppet
Toy Theater
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Le Chat Noir
Shadow Puppets
Antique Marionette
Chinese Opera Puppet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
songs, acrobatics, farce, and drama, Chinese puppet theater rivaled full-scale theater productions for
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Silk, Wood

Antique Chinese Opera Puppet, c. 1900
Chinese Opera Puppet, c. 1900

Chinese Opera Puppet, c. 1900

H 22 in W 6 in D 3 in
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pupi) marionette, which is made of tin, wood and canvas ca. 1930s. The Sicilian Puppet Theater
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Metal

Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s

Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s

H 45.67 in W 17.72 in D 13.78 in
Hand-Carved Antique Wall Panels with Puppet Design
Located in Yonkers, NY
celebrates the intricate artistry of puppet theater, a crucial component of traditional Chinese culture
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Antique Wall Panels with Puppet Design
Hand-Carved Antique Wall Panels with Puppet Design

Hand-Carved Antique Wall Panels with Puppet Design

H 27 in W 14.5 in D 1 in
A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head of a Saracen Marionette
Located in Catania, Sicilia
puppet theaters often featured tales of chivalry and epic battles, with Saracen characters representing
Category

Late 19th Century Sicilian Medieval Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Iron

Antique A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head of a Saracen Marionette
A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head of a Saracen Marionette

A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head of a Saracen Marionette

H 15.75 in Dm 6.3 in
German KPM Porcelain Plaque Mother and Child with Kittens
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Newark, England
a keen interest in puppet theater and craftsmanship. Frequent visits to his brother’s workshop
Category

Late 19th Century German High Victorian Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Porcelain

Antique German KPM Porcelain Plaque Mother and Child with Kittens
German KPM Porcelain Plaque Mother and Child with Kittens

German KPM Porcelain Plaque Mother and Child with Kittens

H 20.48 in W 17.72 in D 2.17 in
'The Spirit of the Wine' — Japanese Legend from the Famed Chikamatsu Series
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Bunraku puppet theater, including historical romances and domestic tragedies, often based on actual events
Category

1920s Showa Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Woodcut

Antique 'The Spirit of the Wine' — Japanese Legend from the Famed Chikamatsu Series
'The Spirit of the Wine' — Japanese Legend from the Famed Chikamatsu Series

Hokuto Tamamura
'The Spirit of the Wine' — Japanese Legend from the Famed Chikamatsu Series, 1923-26

H 15 in W 10.5 in
Thai Polychrome Dancer Figure, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
visually similar to three-dimensional theater puppets known as hun yai. Carved with lifelike movement, the
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood

Antique Thai Polychrome Dancer Figure, c. 1900
Thai Polychrome Dancer Figure, c. 1900

Thai Polychrome Dancer Figure, c. 1900

H 16 in W 11 in D 9 in

Recent Sales

Beautiful Torso of a Man, India, Orissa, 18th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful torso of a man, carved in scooped out palm tree - once used like puppet for theater
Category

18th Century Indian Colonial Revival Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood

Antique Beautiful Torso of a Man, India, Orissa, 18th Century
Beautiful Torso of a Man, India, Orissa, 18th Century

Beautiful Torso of a Man, India, Orissa, 18th Century

H 45.28 in W 22.05 in D 13 in
Cubist French Puppet Theater
By Walt Louderback
Located in Miami, FL
Masterfully designed and rendered complex Cubist figural work. Work is signed lower left and it is not framed.
Category

Early 20th Century Cubist Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Antique Cubist French Puppet Theater
Cubist French Puppet Theater

Walt Louderback
Cubist French Puppet Theater, 1920 circa

H 18.5 in W 20.5 in
19th Century French Puppet Theater "Guignol" Punch & Judy
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A full size travelling puppet theater, of wooden construction with gesso finish. These were often
Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Fabric, Softwood, Paper

19th Century French Puppet Theater "Guignol" Punch & Judy
19th Century French Puppet Theater "Guignol" Punch & Judy

19th Century French Puppet Theater "Guignol" Punch & Judy

H 63.39 in W 31.11 in D 1.97 in
Le Lavoir au Haut-Trestaou (The Wash House at Haut-Trestaou) /// French Modern
By Henri Riviere
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
illustrations of Breton landscapes and shadow puppet theater at the Chat Noir Cabaret in Paris. Both art forms
Category

1890s Impressionist Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Lithograph

Le Lavoir au Haut-Trestaou (The Wash House at Haut-Trestaou) /// French Modern
Le Lavoir au Haut-Trestaou (The Wash House at Haut-Trestaou) /// French Modern

Henri Riviere
Le Lavoir au Haut-Trestaou (The Wash House at Haut-Trestaou) /// French Modern, 1895

H 8 in W 11.5 in
Unique Antique French Puppet Theater
Located in Buisson, FR
Fabulous and extremely rare puppet theater with great color and its curtain, France, circa 1900
Category

1890s French Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood

Unique Antique French Puppet Theater
Unique Antique French Puppet Theater

Unique Antique French Puppet Theater

H 45.25 in W 28.25 in D 8.25 in
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet
Located in Chicago, IL
songs, acrobatics, farce, and drama, Chinese Puppet Theater rivaled full-scale theater productions for
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood, Silk

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet

H 24 in W 6 in D 3 in
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet
Located in Chicago, IL
songs, acrobatics, farce, and drama, Chinese puppet theater rivaled full-scale theater productions for
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood, Silk

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Puppet

H 23 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Osan, The Heroine in "Daikyoji Makashi goyomi"
By Saburosuke Okada
Located in Fairlawn, OH
-1725). Chikamatsu wrote first for Kabuki and then Bunraku, Japanese puppet theater. He is sometimes
Category

1920s Antique Puppet Theater

Osan, The Heroine in "Daikyoji Makashi goyomi"

Saburosuke Okada
Osan, The Heroine in "Daikyoji Makashi goyomi", c. 1923

H 17.75 in W 10.875 in
Easter - Original Woodcut by Angelina Beloff - 1922
By Angelina Beloff
Located in Roma, IT
, painting, etching and puppet theater. As a painter her major work was in portraits and watercolors. Her
Category

1920s Modern Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Woodcut

Easter - Original Woodcut by Angelina Beloff - 1922

Angelina Beloff
Easter - Original Woodcut by Angelina Beloff - 1922, 1922

H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Late 19th century French Puppet Opera Theater
Located in Buisson, FR
Fabulous and extremely rare small puppet opera theater with great color and its curtain, As
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood, Paper

Late 19th century French Puppet Opera Theater
Late 19th century French Puppet Opera Theater

Late 19th century French Puppet Opera Theater

H 17.52 in W 18.51 in D 8.27 in
Kabuki Actors Sawamura Kito as the chambermaid Okaru and Nakamura Tomosa II as S
By Konishi Hirosada
Located in Storrs, CT
written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 8th lunar month of 1748 in
Category

19th Century Edo Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Color, Woodcut

Kabuki Actors Sawamura Kito as the chambermaid Okaru and Nakamura Tomosa II as S
Kabuki Actors Sawamura Kito as the chambermaid Okaru and Nakamura Tomosa II as S

Konishi Hirosada
Kabuki Actors Sawamura Kito as the chambermaid Okaru and Nakamura Tomosa II as S, c.1846

H 18 in W 22 in D 1 in
Musée Grevin: Théatre les Fantouches
By Jules Chéret
Located in San Francisco, CA
backed with linen. This poster advertised the puppet theater of John Hewitt performed at the Musée
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Lithograph

Musée Grevin: Théatre les Fantouches

Jules Chéret
Musée Grevin: Théatre les Fantouches, 1900

H 48 in W 34.25 in
Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
and shadow puppet theater at the Chat Noir Cabaret in Paris. Both art forms showcased Rivère’s
Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century

Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century

H 29 in W 40.25 in D 0.75 in
Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
was a French artist best known for his delicate illustrations of Breton landscapes and shadow puppet
Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century

Monumental French Color Print by Henri Riviere Late 19th or Early 20th Century

H 29.75 in W 41 in D 0.75 in
Early 20th Century Large Carved Wooden Devil Puppet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A very fine example of a professionally carved puppet from Italian theater. Puppet shows very very
Category

Early 1900s Italian Folk Art Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Large Carved Wooden Devil Puppet
Early 20th Century Large Carved Wooden Devil Puppet

Early 20th Century Large Carved Wooden Devil Puppet

H 27 in W 8 in D 4 in

People Also Browsed

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Textile

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild A mid to late 19th Century hand carved Sicilian marionette knight puppet/marionette. Still wearing all in brass armour and si...
Category

1880s Italian Folk Art Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild

Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild

H 50 in W 13 in D 9 in
19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning and rare 19th Century English Chinese pagoda cabinets. This highly stylized hand carved mahogany cabinets features, glass shelving, pagoda gabled roofs, classic Chippendal...
Category

19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet

19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet

H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A group of four antique confessionals in Neo-Gothic style, made of oak.
Category

19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood, Oak

Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak
Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak

Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak

H 138.19 in W 94.89 in D 47.25 in
Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early, 1900s
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work complete with a unique wood-carved and hand-painted face and original textile garment. From a group of 7 Chinese opera puppets, we acquired from a collector. Eac...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Textile, Wood, Paint

Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early, 1900s
Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early, 1900s

Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early, 1900s

H 20 in W 10 in D 4 in
Hand Woven Rattan and Bamboo Thai 19th Century Grain Basket with Tapering Lines
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Thai hand-woven rattan, bamboo and wood grain basket from the 19th century, with tapering lines and rustic character. Created in Thailand during the 19th century, this gra...
Category

19th Century Thai Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Rattan, Bamboo, Wood

Hand Woven Rattan and Bamboo Thai 19th Century Grain Basket with Tapering Lines
Hand Woven Rattan and Bamboo Thai 19th Century Grain Basket with Tapering Lines

Hand Woven Rattan and Bamboo Thai 19th Century Grain Basket with Tapering Lines

H 16.5 in Dm 19 in
Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Gilt Foo Dogs and Calligraphy Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
Vibrant and richly detailed, this small Chinese red lacquered blanket chest was designed as a traditional wedding gift and carries with it layers of symbolic meaning and decorative a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Iron

Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Gilt Foo Dogs and Calligraphy Motifs
Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Gilt Foo Dogs and Calligraphy Motifs

Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Gilt Foo Dogs and Calligraphy Motifs

H 12 in W 28.5 in D 17 in
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handforged metal helmet. Manufactured...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Metal

Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s

Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s

H 8.27 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Italian carved mahogany writing table is said to have been crafted specifically for use by King Carlo Alberto (Charles Albert of Sardinia, 1798-1849). Both beautiful and functio...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Mahogany

Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair
Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair

Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair

H 32.75 in W 54.5 in D 33 in
Chinese Lattice Window Panel, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century lattice window panel likely originated in a northern Chinese home with neutral and balanced interiors. The geometric lattice pattern is linear and open, and w...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Wood, Pine

Chinese Lattice Window Panel, circa 1900
Chinese Lattice Window Panel, circa 1900

Chinese Lattice Window Panel, circa 1900

H 53 in W 48 in D 1.25 in
1900s Qing Southern Wooden Bucket with Large Handle and Metal Accents
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Southern Chinese late Qing Dynasty period wooden bucket from the early 20th century, with large handle, horizontal metal brace and dark patina. Created in Southern China during the...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Metal

1900s Qing Southern Wooden Bucket with Large Handle and Metal Accents
1900s Qing Southern Wooden Bucket with Large Handle and Metal Accents

1900s Qing Southern Wooden Bucket with Large Handle and Metal Accents

H 22 in W 14.5 in D 15.5 in
Renaissance Style Oak Tester/4 Poster King Bed w/ Armorial Tapestry Bedspread
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A vintage king size oak tester or four poster bed in the Renaissance style. Hand carved with Adam & Eve carvings in the headboard, figurative sculptures in the bedposts, three carve...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Renaissance Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Oak

Renaissance Style Oak Tester/4 Poster King Bed w/ Armorial Tapestry Bedspread
Renaissance Style Oak Tester/4 Poster King Bed w/ Armorial Tapestry Bedspread

Renaissance Style Oak Tester/4 Poster King Bed w/ Armorial Tapestry Bedspread

H 88.98 in W 70.87 in D 94.89 in
British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
A British Colonial carved wooden settee with swan neck back and out-scrolling arms, cane seat and turned legs. This British Colonial carved wooden settee, originating from antique So...
Category

Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Cane, Wood

British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms
British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms

British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms

H 33.75 in W 90.75 in D 27.75 in
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Marionette Puppet
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Chinese opera marionette puppet is dress in an elegant embroidered silk dragon robe. The puppet head is of painted ceramic. The ornate headdress is decorate with beads, silk and...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Ceramic, Fabric

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Marionette Puppet
Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Marionette Puppet

Early 20th Century Chinese Opera Marionette Puppet

H 21 in W 8 in D 6 in
Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early 1900s
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work complete with a unique wood-carved and hand painted face, a wonderfully fabulous hairdo, and an original textile garment. From a group of 7 Chinese opera puppets...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Textile, Wood, Paint

Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early 1900s
Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early 1900s

Chinese Peking Opera Theatre Puppet Marionette Doll, Early 1900s

H 23 in W 10 in D 4 in
1950s Asian Handcrafted Wood Burmese String Opera Marionette Wall Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exquisite Vintage 1950s Handcrafted Wooden Marionette with Burmese String, Reflecting Asian Opera Artistry. This splendid Burmese-Thai marionette is a testament to masterful hand car...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Antique Puppet Theater

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1950s Asian Handcrafted Wood Burmese String Opera Marionette Wall Decor
1950s Asian Handcrafted Wood Burmese String Opera Marionette Wall Decor

1950s Asian Handcrafted Wood Burmese String Opera Marionette Wall Decor

H 15.5 in W 9.5 in D 3 in
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Antique Puppet Theater For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique puppet theater you’re looking for at 1stDibs. An antique puppet theater — often made from wood, fabric and paper — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the antique puppet theater you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique puppet theater made by folk art designers — as well as those associated with Victorian — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one antique puppet theater that is appealing in its simplicity, but Alexander Calder and Henry Somm produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Puppet Theater?

Prices for an antique puppet theater can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $368 and can go as high as $10,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,675.