Description
Photograph, 'Street puppet theatre', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. The image shows a man, a woman and five children watching a puppet show. The show is mounted in a miniature theatre on the street in front of a wall to the right of the image. The man and the children grin at the female puppet propped up inside the theatre box. A woman stands with them holding a baby in her arms. The female puppet has a painted ceramic face and wears a beaded and embroidered headdress.

Significance statement
Puppet theatre began in China during the Han dynasty (206-220 AD). In Old Peking, street puppet theatre was primarily performed in the first three months of the Lunar New Year.

Production notes
This is one of a large number of photographs that were taken by Hedda Morrison (1908-1991) during her years of residence in Peking (Beijing), China 1933-1946.

Credit line
Gift of Mr Alastair Morrison, 1992

Design marks
Inscribed, lower right corner, blue ball point pen on white circular sticker '30'.

Registration number
92/1414-243