2017 CLF Auction Item: Puppet by Dale Powers

Despite the passage of centuries, mankind, at his core, remains the same.  Life in the 18^th century could entail some pretty serious work, but everyone eventually needs get away from it all.  Long before he penned the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was a hard-working Williamsburg attorney who managed a veritable mountain of court cases.  But on April 14, 1769, Jefferson recorded his expenses for a little harmless diversion: he paid 7 shillings and 6 pence “for seeing a puppet show.”

Virginia artisan Dale Powers has crafted a truly unique offering for this year’s CLF fundraising auction: a full articulated 18th century puppet.  “The origin of the Dancing Man,” explains the artist, “can be traced to France during the 16th century. They were known throughout Europe as Poupées à la. In America, by the 18th century these puppets became popular in Appalachia. They were created on the frontier as toys.”

Powers’ reproduction is crafted from hand-carved Appalachian white pine and measures 3” wide and 10 ¼” tall.  The artist painted the puppet with a subdued color palette and then subtly aged the piece.  Appropriately enough for a frontier toy, the puppet’s eyes and nose are made from white tail deer antler.  The finished product is a charmingly well-executed example of early American folk art.  It’s perfectly well suited for the junior reenactors at your next living history event, or as a display piece in your collection of primitive Americana.

For more information on the work of the artist, contact:

Dale Powers

540-290-2073  

Text by Josh Shepherd with photos by G Barlow