Name/Title
5.4.25b Stop-Motion Puppet – BBC Production Matron FigureEntry/Object ID
5.4.25bDescription
Artist: Alan Platt (c.1941–2022)
Height: 22 cm
Medium: Mixed media – hand-moulded head, painted detail, costumed with textile, lace, and synthetic hair
Condition: Vintage – fragile; signs of age and use consistent with screen role in stop-frame animation
Overview:
A brilliantly expressive matron figure, likely created for a BBC stop-motion production. Her round features, hand-sculpted expression, and heavily padded textile body point to a formidable yet humorous character—perhaps a governess, innkeeper, or matriarchal townsperson. She wears a richly detailed costume with layered calico, lace collar, and period ribboning, with painted wooden shoes and carefully styled ringlets.
Production Context:
This puppet was made by renowned New Zealand artist and animator Alan Platt, whose stop-frame work spans several decades and includes both independent and commissioned productions. This figure likely featured in one of his UK-associated works during the 1980s–90s, developed with meticulous attention to characterisation.
Provenance:
Part of the Alan Platt estate, released for sale by the family. Platt’s handmade puppets rarely surface and are increasingly valued by collectors of film and animation artefacts.
Condition Note:
As with all studio-used puppets of this era, there is surface wear and fragility consistent with production use. Some cracking to the painted finish and delicate stitching should be expected. Best suited for display and preservation.
More to Come:
This is one of a limited group of Alan Platt puppets being released. Each piece offers a rare glimpse into the handcrafted world of analogue animation.
ref: 2.7.25b
