The unique Skull Puppets made in Val Gardena, South Tyrol.
- Artisanal Origin: Produced exclusively by specialized families in Val Gardena, South Tyrol, from the 1800s until the mid-20th century.
- Unique Aesthetic: Known for their semi-glossy finish achieved through a traditional egg-white glazing technique over tempera paint.
- Cultural Versatility: While carved in one valley, these heads were customized to fit the specific folk traditions of Italy, France, England, and Germany.
These heads were handcrafted in series from the first half of the 19th century until the Second World War. They were produced by a few families of sculptors from Val Gardena, South Tyrol, who specialized in these subjects. The heads were then bought by a client who then resold them to street vendors who filled their panniers with these heads and other wooden artifacts produced in the area, such as toys, crockery, and bowls. These skulls are found in collections in various parts of Europe.
These heads were mostly small in size. Sometimes they were decorated and attached to a body (not produced in Val Gardena) to be used as puppets.
The heads produced in larger sizes were used by professional puppeteers and marionette makers. The heads, after being brushed white, were painted with tempera and took on a semi-glossy appearance with the subsequent addition of egg white.
The subjects of the heads were also differentiated according to cultural areas (Fagiolino, Sandrone, Gioppino: for northern Italy; Guignol and Gnafron| for France; Punk and Judy for England, Kasperl for Germany and Eastern European countries), while the masks of the Commedia Dell’Arte (Arlecchino, Brighella, Dottore, Capitano, Pantalone, etc.), were distributed throughout Europe.
In Italy they can be found in the following public collections: Museo Teatrale alla Scala, Scuola Paolo Grassi, Museo Faraggiana in Novara, the Castello dei Burattini in Parma, Collezione Forlai del Comune di Forlì, and in numerous private collections, the most important of which is the Collezione Mercuriali in Cesenatico.
Common Questions About Val Gardena Skull Puppets
What are Val Gardena Skull Puppets?
Handcrafted wooden heads produced in South Tyrol between the 19th century and WWII. They were primarily used as puppets and marionettes, distributed across Europe by traveling street vendors.
Who were the famous characters depicted by these puppets?
The heads represented regional folk characters like Italy’s Fagiolino, France’s Guignol, and England’s Punch and Judy. They also featured classic Commedia dell’Arte masks like Arlecchino.
How were Val Gardena puppet heads finished?
The heads were brushed white and painted with tempera. Artisans then applied a layer of egg white to give the puppets their signature semi-glossy, lifelike appearance.
Where can I see collections of South Tyrolean puppets?
Major collections are held at the Museo Teatrale alla Scala in Milan and the Castello dei Burattini in Parma. The most significant private collection is the Mercuriali Collection in Cesenatico.
Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it, China-underground.com, Weirditaly.com and RetroFuturista.com.