Marionette Sourcebook

The Marionette Sourcebook covers a wide range of marionette styles, each with its unique characteristics and construction techniques. Some of the most well-known types of marionettes include:

: One of the most praised sections covers the variety of controllers, from standard vertical and horizontal bars to more specialized designs. Practical Wisdom from the Greats marionette sourcebook

The earliest recorded evidence of marionettes dates back to ancient Egypt, around 2000 BCE. These early puppets were made from wood, bone, and cloth, and were controlled by strings attached to a crossbar. The art of marionetry spread throughout the ancient world, with Greek and Roman civilizations adopting and adapting the craft. During the Middle Ages, marionettes became a popular form of entertainment in Europe, with traveling troupes of puppeteers performing for royal courts and common folk alike. The Marionette Sourcebook covers a wide range of

: Popularized in America during the early 20th century, these resemble aircraft frames and allow for complex rocking and swinging motions. These early puppets were made from wood, bone,

The first time I saw the Marionette Sourcebook , it was propping open the door of a cluttered hobby shop on Via della Panetteria in Rome. The owner, an octogenarian named Elio, used it like a brick. Its spine was cracked, its faux-leather cover scuffed to a pale gray. “That?” he grunted when I asked about it. “That is not for builders. That is for the burattinai who think too much.”

The Marionette Sourcebook provides detailed instructions and tips on crafting marionettes, including: