Name/Title
Handcrafted Stop-Motion Puppet – Village Girl or Cinderella (c.1970s–1990s)Entry/Object ID
S9XKST2676Description
Artist: Alan Platt (c.1941–2022)
Height: 29 cm
Medium: Mixed media – hand-moulded head, textile costuming, painted wooden feet
Condition: Vintage – fragile; signs of age and use consistent with its role in stop-frame animation
Overview
This exquisitely dressed puppet features a delicately crafted costume of embroidered netting, pleated gingham, and hand-sewn lace. She may represent Cinderella or a similarly sweet protagonist from a folk or opera-based stop-motion production. The attention to detail is mind-blowing!
Production Context
While her exact role is unconfirmed, the pastoral dress and joyful features suggest a central role in a fairytale or children’s production—possibly portraying Cinderella before the ball or a village festival scene.
Provenance
Alan Platt was a Paraparaumu-based animator who spent nearly 40 years creating stop-motion films for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. His work earned him three BAFTA awards 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 and undervalued due to a lack of context. Through my role as a designer at Mahara Gallery and working with Alan Platt on the promotional material for his work, I was able to identify the donated puppets immediately as treasures and select a number of the most significant and visually compelling pieces—museum-level works of craftsmanship and cultural value—for preservation, professional photography, and collector offering.
Condition Note
In fragile vintage condition—best suited for display or conservation. Minor wear consistent with age, including surface ageing and fabric delicacy. Handle with care.
More to Come
Additional puppets from this archive will be listed soon.
Please visit our Facebook page, where I’ll share further information as I continue researching these puppets.
ref S9XKST2676
