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In puppetry: Other types
…puppet, the “scarecrow puppets,” or lileki, of Slovenia, is constructed from two crossed sticks draped with old clothes; two of these figures are held up on either side of a bench draped with a cloth, under which the manipulator lies. The puppets talk with each other and with a human…
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marionette

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marionette

Also known as: string puppet

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Also called:: string puppet

Key People:: Manuel de Falla; Tony Sarg

Related Topics:: puppetry; Rājasthānī puppet; Špejbl; Hurvínek

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marionette, any of several types of puppet figures manipulated from above by strings or threads attached to a control. In a simple marionette, the strings are attached in nine places: to each leg, hand, shoulder, and ear and at the base of the spine. By adding strings, more sensitive control of movement is achieved. Among European puppets, marionettes are considered the most delicate and difficult to master; some are capable of imitating almost every human and animal action.

Although this type of puppet was not fully developed until the mid-19th century, examples of marionettes controlled by an iron rod instead of strings still survive in Sicily and elsewhere. In the 18th century marionette operas, acting out the works of well-known composers, were extremely popular.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.