Name/Title
Stop-Motion Puppet – Lovable Gentleman with Sunflower-Lined CloakEntry/Object ID
S9XKST2671Description
Artist: Alan Platt (c.1941–2022)
Height: 32 cm
Medium: Mixed media – hand-moulded head, handmade textile costuming
Condition: Vintage – fragile; signs of age and use consistent with its role in stop-frame animation
Overview
A character-rich puppet with an exuberant sense of style. Dressed in patched trousers, layered vest, and a wide bow tie, this dapper figure features a burgundy diamond-quilted collar and a boldly patterned sunflower cloak. The expressive painted face, jaunty stance, and sculpted gesture evoke a storyteller or comic figure—possibly a bard, bachelor, or eccentric minor noble.
Production Context
The specific production is unknown, but the puppet’s lively expression and richly detailed costume suggest a supporting role in a literary or fairy-tale adaptation. Its confident, slightly cheeky demeanour points to comic timing and character flair, aligned with Platt’s flair for theatrical nuance.
Provenance
Alan Platt was a NZ-based animator who spent nearly 40 years working on stop-motion films for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. His work earned three BAFTAs and a Peabody Award.
This piece was part of a large group of puppets donated by Alan Platt to a local charity. Many were in deteriorated condition. Through my role as a designer and having worked with Platt, I was able to select a number of the most visually compelling pieces for preservation and collector offering—museum-level works of craftsmanship and cultural legacy.
Condition Note
This puppet is in fragile vintage condition and best suited for display or conservation. Gentle handling is advised.
More to Come
Additional puppets from this archive will be listed. Visit our Facebook page for updates or DM to learn more.
S9XKST2671
