Dulieu, Jean (1921-2006). Eucalypta and Salomo handpuppets

Two original handpuppets from the 1940s, constructed by Dulieu using cloth, cork and other materials in recourceful and imaginative ways. Salomo's beak is made from two clothes hangers, and his body from the fabric of an old umbrella. The cork used for Eucalypta was found on the island of Terschelling. Her eyes are moveable. Entirely hand-made by Dulieu and used for his touring puppet theatre.

*Originally Dulieu intended to be a puppeteer, before his comic strips brought him unexpected and grand succes. For several years he performed across the country with his theatre company 'De Sprokenspiegel', together with Henk Gorter (later succeeded by Bert Brugman). Although he eventually focused on illustrating the adventures of Paulus the Woodgnome, several of the puppets he created for his puppet theatre have miraculously withstood the passage of time (although the Paulus puppet was sadly lost in a damp attic in Soest) and are now exceptionally rare. The Eucalypta puppet, in particular, held great appeal for young audiences: she would appear at the back of the room, eyes flashing and let out her terrifying shriek. Included are some photos from the 1940s and 1950s showing Dulieu and Eucalypta in action.