Marionette of Harlequin from the Gair Wilkinson Troupe, carved and painted wood, ca.1920. British.

Carved wooden marionette of Harlequin holding a baton in his right hand. Painted with gold, white and black lozenges to represent his costume and a black cap and mask over his eyes. Stringed, with the original control bar.

Given by Frances Gair Miller

NB. While the term 'blackamoor' has been used in this record, it has since fallen from usage and is now considered offensive. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context.

When the Gair Wilkinson show performed at Queen's Gate Hall in December 1930 and January 1931, the afternoon show comprised: 2. THE MAGIC STICK. A happy play about Pimpinella and a Witch. 3. ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. Introduced by a lecture on Science 4. A DROLLERY. In which Pantaloon suffers many misadventures but ends by dancing. The evening programme comprised: 1. HARLEQUINADE. In which Harlequin shows it is good to be alive 2. PANTALOON IN LONDON TOWN. An unexpectedly lively affair 3. ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. Introduced by a lecture on Science 4. THE ETERNAL CLOWN or THE DEATH OF JOY A Ballet Music by W. Gair Wilkinson 5. A DROLLERY to finish with.

Arthur Wilkinson (1882-1957) was inspired to make puppets by seeing toy puppets in Italy and started as a puppeteer touring England in a caravan in spring 1912 with his wife Lily, in search of a simple way of life. With them was his much younger brother Walter, who went on to become a puppeteer himself. To amuse their young children Arthur carved some puppets and gave the occasional show as they travelled. By 1916 Arthur and Lily returned from a stay in Florence to their house in Lechworth Garden City with the remarkable troupe of puppets Arthur had carved in Florence. This marionette, Harlequin, is one of that troupe now in the V&A.

S.111-1987