**First Time At Auction**

North America, United States, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A ventriloquist doll or dummy in the form of a caricatured man of African descent in the blackface minstrelsy tradition. The puppet has a separately carved head and hands; the head is attached to a wooden dowel and can be raised, lowered, turned via this dowel. The lower lip and chin are attached via a hinge and are moveable. He wears a blue velveteen vest, a black and white gingham shirt, brown tweed pants, and brown suede shoes. Size: 25.75" H (65.4 cm)

Originating in the 1820s in the United States, the minstrel show was a blend of popular songs, dances, and comedy that were performed by Caucasian men in blackface - burnt cork facial makeup - while they sang and spoke in "Black" dialects. Despite how offensive this sounds to us today, blackface grew in popularity throughout America and England, becoming a mainstay of the music hall scene. British puppeteer William John Bullock created the first puppet minstrel show, inspired by the Christy Minstrels' sensationally successful mid-century tours of England. Also, the English Punch and Judy black servant referred to as Shallaballa became referred to as Jim Crow after 1850 and would oftentimes dance in T.D. Rice's number of that name. With this name change, English puppeteers transformed him into an American blackface clown.

Provenance: private Honolulu, Hawaii, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#149078

Expected wear and a few losses to shirt, collar, and vest. A few tears to the pants. Some separation between face panels. Mouth still moveable. Wooden torso shows some wear, and age cracks on interior (back side) but is open for the puppeteer to access. Painted wood surfaces have minor scuffs, nicks, and scratches. Metal buttons have nice age patina. Stand for photographic purposes only.