Marionette of a ringmaster, one of a set of circus figures made by Mary Shillabeer

Carved and painted balsa wood marionette of a circus ringmaster holding a cane whip and wearing a black top hat made from stiffened petersham, a red felt frock coat with black epaulettes, black synthetic fabric trousers, a white waffle cotton evening waistcoat and white bow tie, checked woollen stockings and painted black shoes with black plastic attached to make them shine. He has a black moustache of fur fabric, and fur fabric attached to the head for hair. He hands are painted white to simulate gloves and he has a flower in his lapel made from stiffened fabric and a magenta sequin. With six strings attached to a wooden control bar.

Bequeathed by Mary Shillabeer

Mary Shillabeer (1904-1992), the maker of this figure, trained as an artist and illustrator at the Central School of Arts and Crafts and moved to Edinburgh in 1942. She started making and manipulating marionettes in her 70s and made this set near the beginning of her career. She made various full-scale marionette shows such as Peter and the Wolf, Jou-Jou, Commedia dell'Arte and Babar the Elephant, some of which are now housed in the collection of the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh, the Purves Puppets Little Theatre in Biggar, near Edinburgh, and Ian Turbitt Puppets in Glasgow.

Marionette of a ringmaster, one of a set of circus figures made by Mary Shillabeer.

S.141-1993