Name/Title
5.4.25g Stop-Motion Puppet – Cheerful Royal Figure in Beaded CloakEntry/Object ID
5.4.25gDescription
Artist: Alan Platt (c.1941–2022)
Height: 30 cm
Medium: Mixed media – hand-moulded head, painted detail, costumed with textile, faux ermine, metallic trim and beading
Condition: Vintage – fragile; signs of age and use consistent with screen role in stop-frame animation.
Overview
A richly costumed stop-motion puppet depicting a cheerful royal figure, complete with a lavish red velvet cloak with gilt-threaded floral motifs and faux ermine trim. The puppet’s joyful expression, tilted posture, and bright eyes suggest a benevolent monarch or theatrical character, created with Platt’s hallmark attention to personality and humour in miniature.
Production Context
While the exact production remains unconfirmed, this puppet likely featured in one of Alan Platt’s BBC stop-motion television works, known for their literary and satirical characterisations. The regal attire and exuberant detailing point to a role in a period adaptation or lighthearted historical satire, reflecting Platt’s flair for expressive costume and symbolic casting.
Provenance
Alan Platt was a NZ 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 puppet was selected from a larger archive of Platt’s works, many of which were donated to charity and would have been lost without intervention. It represents one of the most visually compelling and complete figures preserved for future appreciation—offering collectors a museum-quality example of handcrafted animation history.
Condition Note
This puppet is in fragile vintage condition. Costuming remains intact and vibrant. Best suited to careful display or conservation.
More to Come
Additional puppets from the Platt archive will be listed. Follow our page or DM for updates and availability.
