Beth Camp Historical Fiction

Thursday, August 20, 2020

August #3: In Search of Answers

 Before the pandemic, we visited the Tucson Rock & Mineral Show, a sprawling exhibit with miles of rocks and dinosaurs and curiosities. There, tucked away in an obscure shop, we came across these amazing three puppets. The vendor picked them up from a friend of a friend, with no provenance. He's trying now to discover what culture or what artist created these puppets. And I'm curious enough, some six months later, to wonder.


Oh, these are storytellers, with the elder pointing the way. Their gnarled fingers and bound feet suggest long journeys ahead. Their beaded walking sticks and intricate costumes hint at a sophisticated culture, and their bodies wrapped tightly in furs may protect them against cold -- or discovery.

Every culture I'm thinking of . . . Pacific Northwest Native? African? Australian? But the symbols don't match, or the furs don't quite fit the climate. Even Google search by image doesn't help.

But aren't these beautiful sculptures? More than puppets. So, perhaps I'm left with the vision of an unknown artist. What do you think? Any suggestions?

In reality, these are the kinds of mysteries I daydream about. There might be a story here. Perhaps a distraction from these days of pandemic which wear on into the fall, just about the time these creatures may be heading south. 

12 comments:

  1. They look like muppets from the Dark Crystal

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    2. I'm thinking my guys have more of a beak! But here are the Mystics from the Dark Crystal. Can't get the picture to show up but here's the link: I'm thinking my guys have more of a beak! But here are the Mystics from the Dark Crystal (hope the link works): https://static2.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Dark-Crystal-UrGoh-1.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&h=370&dpr=1.5&fbclid=IwAR1WmCPasO6v2XpxiLf8rurZb9GzC6bLnoWs3MW3lECPmpyLwkTKRqb_SZU

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    3. Just a note: the link above works, but you have to copy and paste into your browser to compare those Mystics to the sculptures shown here (roughly about 2.5 feet high). Still researching.

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  2. Fascinating. Garb seems Arctic—boots, furs—and staffs seem like antlers. Heads are bird-like with those beaks similar to plague masks from Venice and other places. Siberia or Lapland?

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    1. Still looking. Thank you for your suggestions, Jamie. I loved that link to plague masks.

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  3. A mystery, for sure. Intriguing.

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    1. But still beautiful -- and mysterious!

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  4. These are fascinating statues indeed, Beth. Did you buy them and are they now gracing your humble abode or did you just take photos of them in that shop?

    The beaks do remind me of a black mask with a similar beak I bought in Venice many years ago. Yet, these beaks are weird to see on a group of explorers or members of a tribe... I hope you find your answer as questions and mysteries like these could “plague” us forever! :-)

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    1. Hi, Liesbet. Your note made me smile. These were not for sale as the vendor (an art dealer) was still trying to search out what they really were. I would have liked to take one home, though, for their mystery has certainly 'plagued' me!

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    2. :-)

      Could you contact the art dealer now and inquire whether he figured out the statues' history? Maybe worth a try - and potentially no more sleepless nights. :-)

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    3. Wish I did have that card to track him down . . . But I will keep researching. Found an interesting set of pictures taken in the wilds of eastern Europe . . .

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