Question:
I posted this over in the Toys forum, but got no replies so I thought maybe it was actually a Textile question!
I got this puppet last summer at an estate sale. When I asked the woman running the sale if she knew where it came from she wasn't sure, it had always been in the house (her grandfather's) and she had the feeling it was Amish in orgin. She was in her 60's, and only charged me $2.00 for it.
It's hand-stitched on burlap, no tags or labels, looks homemade by a fairly good sewer. Good condition, albeit a tad dirty looking.
Do the Amish make puppets? Any ideas on how old it could be? Any ideas on how I could determine the age?
Thanks!!
http://www360.pair.com/arewyn/30nov0002.jpg
http://www360.pair.com/arewyn/nov30c2.jpg
Answer:
Google search for Amish Puppets gits marionette types....Dunno if your monkey was an older, simpler type....
Looks very primitive, almost like a kid's project???
Answer:
True Amish dolls do not have faces (the ones made for Amish kids to play with), but I think toy stuffed animals and puppets may not be held to the same standards. I did google looking for some, but really didn't find any useful info.
If I were you I'd list it with the info you gave us...worded just like she told it to you. That way you aren't certifying that it's Amish, but are just quoting what you were told.
Do antique or used handcrafted hand puppets do well on ebay?
If not, I'd list it here at OCM and if someone is looking for that type of thing they'll find it with a search engine search.
Elaine
Answer:
As far as age, you might be able to speculate from the face fabric type/color/weave or the embroidery floss color/twist, but I'd personally never try to do so by photos only...