Indian Female Puppet on Stick

A painted face, a patched skirt and a long stick for a spine.

Puppet makers of Bengal and Odisha, India, made this female puppet on a stick from wood and cloth in the 20th century. Rod puppets of eastern India are commonly used in traveling performances of folk tales and epics, raised and moved by the puppeteer. A carved head with pink cheeks, red lips and worn white paint tops a cloth body with short sleeves and a gathered skirt in olive, brown and green patches. Both arms end in stubs at the sleeve.

About 52 inches tall on its stick. Prop her in a corner and she supervises the room.