Origin and History of Punch and Judy
Punch is the most famous puppet character of all time. Beloved for his comic irreverence and even anarchic spirit, Punch has inspired the performing and fine arts, from opera and ballet to punk rock, as well as the art of doll-making. Given the color and animation of his acts, and the historical context in which he debuted, it’s not hard to see how this funny little man gained his notoriety.
Punch appeared on the scene in England, as the culture began to incline to revelry as it ushered out the restrictive Puritanical rule of Oliver Cromwell. This was the age of traveling showmen, such as Italian puppet player Pietro Gimonde, known to the public as “Signor Bologna”, who created the hilarious pot-bellied hunchback character “Pulcinelia”, known variously as “Pollicinella”, “Polichinello”, “Punchinanello” or to the British audience, “Punchinello” or simply “Mr. Punch”. Punch took his first awkward step onto the stage as a marionette, but as the popularity of marionette shows waned, he transformed into a more versatile glove puppet, with a supporting cast of other glove puppets, and in this way revitalized his popularity. As a puppet, Punch was now enabled to pick things up — a skill he lacked as a poor limited marionette. With the ability to squeeze his two tiny hands together and hold something securely, Punch seized upon a traditional theatrical prop, scaled to his tiny size — the slapstick — which became his trademark. The slapstick is a simple noise making device, made from two pieces of wood which literally slap together. It has come to be shorthand for an entire genre of “slapstick” comedy. The slapstick in Punch’s tiny hands was an effective comic accent to his tales of marital strife, challenging the authorities, his nemesis, and defeating even Old Nick, the diavolo, himself.
Punch quickly became a popular 19th Century spectacle of street satire and seaside entertainment, as well as indoor entertainment for Victorian era nurseries, with guest character heroes and villains, musical interludes and much novelty! The most versatile and lasting puppet of all time, Punch today can still be found at children’s parties, live seaside entertainment, in hallowed cultural institutions, sometimes at adult shows with a touch of the bawdy, and in places and styles that only Punch can tell so well!
Variations on a Theme
Julia and Lucia Friedericy
First, let’s have a look at him as depicted by mother and daughter doll artist collaborators, Judith and Lucia Friedericy, in this extraordinary one-of-a-kind direct sculpt wax over porcelain 9 piece art doll set.
Doll art by the Friedericies is internationally celebrated and very highly prized, in this case crossing interest with doll collectors, puppeteers, theatre aficionados and cultural, social and even political historians. The Friedericy Family has collaborated in doll making since 1987, and have a unique and incomparable place now in doll-making history. Brother and sister team, John and Lucia Friedericy, were first to foray into this enchanting art form, and then, after John’s untimely passing in 1990, Lucia and her mother Judith collaborated. Judith sculpts the dolls’ heads, hands and feet in paper clay. Lucia paints and applies wax to the pieces. She also fashions the bodies and costumes. Each piece is a hand sculpted one of a kind. There are no molds. This Punch and Judy set includes all the main recurring individual character dolls of Punch’s act — Punch himself, Judy, his impetuously nagging wife, & Baby, the ever ominous Hangman (13 inches tall), The Devil (14 inches tall), who symbolically is positioned on the left, The Policeman (13 inches tall) . . . well – he’s on the right, . . . The Dog (6 inches tall) and the Crocodile (7 inches tall). The overall height of this exquisite ensemble is 36 inches on the attractive wooden display stage which is included.
Peter Wolf
