Marionette: Statement of Significance

 

 

Figure 1: Front and back of the marionette. 

 

The marionette (figure 1) was purchased at Chatuchak Weekend Market, in Bangkok, Thailand and was given to the current owner when they were a child, thus was utilised as a toy. Consequently, it has historical significance due to its association with childhood memories, with the condition attesting to this, see figure 2.

Figure 2: One instance of a condition issue associated with use as a toy, with scratches present on the marionette’s face. The red colour present in one scratch (black arrow) is unlikely to be paint but rather an ink mark as it appears there were attempts with a pen to mark the face. Whereas the red arrow is indicating a mark that is highly likely to be paint from application of paint to the lips of the marionette. 

The marionette’s present significance lies in its utilisation for conversation training, aiding the development of interpretive and research skills. Researching the marionette identified it as characteristically Burmese and not Thai as was assumed. The marionette’s character is Bandula, the general, a later addition to the puppet troupe (Bruns, 2006). After the annexation of Burma by the British in 1885, and subsequent abolition of the monarchy, the theatres chief patron, puppeteers were reliant on public support, therefore Bandula was added to cater to the public audience (Singer, 1999). Both the character and nature of the marionette, as a tourist object, signify changing political and economic values. A military junta governed Burma between 1962-2011 and were accused of gross human rights abuses thus tourism was not encouraged. Makers circumnavigating this by exporting marionettes to be sold in Thailand (Bruns, 2006).  Some makers have also suspected the lack of state support for puppetry was due to paranoia about being labelled a puppet government, thus necessitating exportation of the marionettes (Phyo Tha, 2018). Currently a military coup is occurring in Burma, which as depicted in figure 3 is being protested. The marionette therefore has significant research potential as both its character and nature are reflective of changing political values within Burma which is highly likely to have contributed to the coup occurring. 

Figure 3: Protestors in Burma in March 2021(Cuddy, 2021). The army took power after the first democratic election in decades was won by Aung San Suu Kyi, who represents the National Democracy League against the pro-army opposition (Cuddy, 2021). The army allege voter fraud had occurred and on February 1st 2021 staged a coup, announcing a yearlong state of emergency (Cuddy, 2021). Protests have been ongoing ever since to reinstate the democratically elected government. 

 

Additionally, it is important to note that the categorisation process is only partial as there are unknown object relationships of the marionette, such as with the maker and seller.