Collection of Antique Asian Puppetry: A Most Ancient Art

By Rick Jordan

The origins of the individual puppets in this book vary, and many of their dates of creation are simply unknown as they are one-of-a-kind objects, created by skilled craftsman on a one-by-one basis to represent figures from the various beloved stories and mythologies of their culture. Most of the puppets within this collection come from Taiwan, China, Mongolia, and Thailand and were created between the year 1800 and the early 1900s. The oldest in the collection were made around the year 1800 while the majority of the puppets were made around 1900.

There are a few modern reproductions in the collection as well, possibly from the 1960s to the 1980s, but there are only a handful of these in the collection. They are mostly extremely old and exceedingly rare, having been acquired over the course of many years and travels. They come from a wide array of private estates and noted collectors from all over the globe. Many have come from antique stores all over Europe and the United States, while some have come from their origin in their home countries in Asia.

As the precise dating and knowledge of the origin of these puppets is a most difficult task, most of the above information is an educational-informed conjecture based upon my personal studies into this fascinating subject of antiquity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499057751

Rick Jordan

Rick Jordan is a serial entrepreneur, ordained pastor, and musician. He is a distinguished expert in leadership, security, technology, and business for over 20 years. As a thought- leader, he has spoken at NASDAQ and Harvard, along with frequent TV appearances. Rick is a devoted husband and the father of three children.

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Copyright © 2014 by Rick Jordan. 652004

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4990-5776-8

                Hardcover     978-1-4990-6607-4

                EBook           978-1-4990-5775-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 08/20/2014

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Dedicated to The Masters

Large and small

Introduction to a Most Ancient Art

The origin of Asian glove puppets can be dated as far back as the 16th century, traced to a province known as Fu Jian in China. It was during this time period that the satirical form of puppetry arose as a way to criticize the eunuch Wei Zhongxian. The major thematic elements of these puppet theaters were songs, dramatic tension, acrobatics and farce. The highest refinement of glove puppetry is when put into the context of a sacred story, as was often done during religious ceremonies for the purpose of entertaining the Gods.

Originally the wooden puppet heads were carved by the Masters from Quanzhou in Fu Jian, however soon Taiwanese craftsmen began making their own. These heads were usually carved from camphor or elm wood, but later on