Large Handmade Male Musician Puppet Indian Rajasthani

A very large (56cm / 22 in. from head to hem of costume) handmade costumed puppet in the traditional style of Rajasthan, India. This one in particular is a Male musician character all superbly rendered in wood and paint with a colourful costume of yellow, blue, purple and pink.  He appears to be playing a sarangi or dilruba instrument which might indicate a Sikh reference along with the headwear. The details are very difficult to capture and the intricacy of the costume is quite stunning, consisting of complicated stitching, sequins and varied materials.  It is held by way of a central wooden rod and  controllable via wires connected to the arms rather than being a kathputli or stringed puppet.

Overall in good condition, but it is obviously of some age and has been much used – there is obvious wear and tear to parts of the costume in particular. It is, however, a striking item and might interest someone with a love for puppetry, a passion for India, or just wants something very different in their home.