Scratch Built Punch and Judy Style Folk Art Wooden Mechanical Toy Tableau This scratch built wooden folk art mechanical tableau shows clear influence from the Punch and Judy theatrical tradition. The scene features two hand carved, hand painted figures set within a painted wooden box construction. A male figure raises a block hammer while a seated female figure appears and disappears via a simple sliding top mechanism, creating a dramatic and darkly comic interaction typical of Punch and Judy–style slapstick morality plays. The naïve carving, exaggerated gesture, improvised mechanics and use of mixed materials strongly suggest a one-off or very small workshop creation rather than a factory-made toy. The female figure retains a hand stitched fabric garment, reinforcing the vernacular, home-made nature of the piece. It reads as folk or outsider art, intended for visual storytelling and theatrical effect rather than child’s play. This is best understood as a Punch and Judy–influenced object rather than a standard puppet or booth, and would sit comfortably within a collection of folk art, theatrical ephemera or outsider-made vernacular objects. ConditionGood vintage condition. The sliding mechanism operates and the figures move as intended. There is visible paint loss, knocks, surface wear, small splits, and age-related marks throughout, consistent with hand-built folk objects. Fabric clothing shows wear, fading and fraying. Please refer to photographs for detail. DimensionsH: 25 cm x L: 37 cm x W: 10 cm Era20th century, likely mid-century
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