Brander Matthews Dramatic Museum realia, 1700-1966

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Series I: Puppets

This collection now contains 391 objects; mostly puppets, including marionettes, hand puppets, rod puppets, pantins, and shadow puppets, but also a number of figurines, dolls and dioramas, and three textiles. It appears that non-puppet three-dimensional objects were included in the puppet series before 1971. The puppets were assigned identification numbers during a cataloging project in the 1960s. All puppet identification numbers higher than P69 were assigned in 2009.

The earliest acquisitions were gifts of Brander Matthews. The most recent acquisitions, and also the collection's newest items, are three beggar figurines made by Russian émigrés living in Iran during WWII. They were the gift of Majorie Windust Halper in 1989.

What began as a collection of English, French and Italian puppets gradually became a collection of considerable breadth, with puppets from Burma, China, India, the United States, Thailand, Turkey, Java, Japan, and Mexico, among other countries. The oldest puppets are two 18th century French marionettes of Joseph and one of the Magi. Highlights of the collection include two eight-foot tall puppets designed by Robert Edmond Jones and constructed by American theatre pioneer Remo Bufano for the Metropolitan Opera's 1931 production of Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex.


Subseries I.1: Burma


P20 Accession



Box 1 Burmese marionette of male with white face and red robe


Box 1 Burmese marionette of male with white face and sand-colored robe


Box 1 Burmese marionette of male with flesh-colored face



Box 38 Horse marionette


Subseries I.2: China


P14 Accession



Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


Box 26 Chinese Shadow puppet


P15 Accession



Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with pink face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with pink face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with pink face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with pink-white face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of female with white face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with white face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with pink face


Box 3 Chinese jigging puppet of male with stylized makeup


P24 Accession



Box 35 Chinese female Figurine with red robe and white, painted face


Box 35 Chinese Figurine, missing head, with purple robe


Box 35 Chinese female Figurine with green robe and white, painted face


Box 35 Chinese female Figurines with long, red dress and elaborate headdress



Box 36 Chinese Figurine, missing head, with long, red dress


Box 36 Chinese female Figurine with long, red dress and white,painted face


Box 36 Chinese male Figurine with orange robe and long mustache


Box 36 Chinese male Figurine with long, green robe



Box 37 Chinese male Figurine, missing head, in gray robe over red robe


Box 37 Chinese male Figurine, bald and in light green robe


Box 37 Masked Chinese male Figurine with headdress and striped pants


Box 37 Masked Chinese male Figurine with long beard and striped pants



Box 35 Crown for Chinese Figurine


Box 35 Crown for Chinese Figurine


Box 35 Crown for Chinese Figurine


Box 35 Crown for Chinese Figurine


Box 35 Man's head from a Chinese figurine


Box 35 Woman's head from a Chinese figurine


Box 35 Woman's head from a Chinese figurine


P26 Accession



Box 39 Female Peking Opera figurine in black


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with white, painted face and blue, striped pants


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine in green robes and gold headdress


Box 39 Female Peking Opera figurine in pink and blue with elaborate headdress


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with long ponytail


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with staff and yellow and green hat


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine in blue and white headress, fighting


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine in black with silver staff


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with long heard, arm raised, fighting


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with long beard and dark blue robe


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with painted face and very elaborate headress


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with painted face, two feathers on headdress


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with orange and white face, gold hat


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine in green robe, blue, orange and white face


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with weapon on back


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with with red face and green robe


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with red, white, black face and gold headdress


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with blue headdress and green robe


Box 39 Male Peking Opera figurine with long beard in yellow and orange


P57 Accession



Box 8 Han Chung-Li figurine


Box 8 Tsao Kuo-Shin figurine


Box 8 Chang Kuo-Lao figurine


Box 8 Lu Tung-Pin figurine


Box 8 Li The-Kwai figurine


Box 8 Lan Tsai-Ho figurine


Box 8 Tsao Kuo-Shin figurine, duplicate of P57.2


P60 Accession



Box 28 Figurine in Imperial dress


P70 Accession


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Box 28 Miniature diorama


Subseries I.3: England


P04 Accession



Box 1 Milkmaid marionette with yoke and two pails



Box 2 Male marionette in exotic yellow costume


P32 Accession



Box 24 Robin Hood pantin


Box 24 N*** pantin


Box 24 Female Volunteer pantin


Box 24 Maid Marian pantin


Box 24 Lord Dundreary pantin


Box 24 Robin Hood pantin


Box 24 The Magic N*** pantin


Box 24 Jester pantin


Box 24 Merry Andrew pantin


Subseries I.4: France


P05 Accession



Box 50 Housemaid marionette, 1870-1899



Box 4 Jester marionette, 1870-1899


Box 4 Dog marionette, 1870-1899



Box 5 Female marionette with four children in her pockets, 1870-1899



Box 6 Peg-leg sailor marionette with fiddle and bow



Box 7 Elegant eighteenth-century female marionette, 1870-1899


P06 Accession


Box 7 Saint Joseph marionette, 1800-1899


Box 7 Marionette of one of the Magi, 1800-1899


P07 Accession



Box 22 Wood ledge puppet of an eighteenth century man, 1800-1899


P08 Accession



Box 9 Male hand puppet with green hat



Box 10 Old, bald male hand puppet



Box 9 Nurse hand puppet


Box 9 Male hand puppet with mustache and bicorne hat



Box 10 Black devil hand puppet


Box 10 Hand puppet with red scarf


Box 10 Male hand puppet with missing tooth


Box 10 Female hand puppet with kerchief and purple scarf


Box 10 Female hand puppet with kerchief and brown scarf


Box 10 Male hand puppet with purple clothes


Box 10 Bearded male hand puppet with green scarf


P09 Accession



Box 11 Male hand puppet with green cap


Box 11 Green and orange devil hand puppet



Box 12 Male hand puppet in white vest with black bird print



Box 11 Elderly male hand puppet with long nose, green cap, eyeglasses



Box 12 Female hand puppet with black and white dress and white apron



Box 13 Chef hand puppet



Box 12 Female hand puppet with white, red dress and blue, white apron



Box 11 Male hand puppet with bicorne hat



Box 13 Clown hand puppet dressed in white and red


Box 13 Male head of hand puppet



Box 12 Male hand puppet with red and blue hat



Box 13 Male hand puppet with white and gold vest, blue coat



Box 12 Elderly male hand puppet with long nose, green cap, eyeglasses



Box 14 Female hand puppet with blue ribbon around neck



Box 13 Green and orange devil hand puppet



Box 14 Bald hand puppet in blue flower print robe


Box 14 Male hand puppet with black hair and blue robe



Box 9 male hand puppet with red and blue hat, protruding stomach



Box 15 Head of bald male hand puppet, with brown glass eyes


Box 15 Head of a clown hand puppet, with face painted white, red and black


Box 15 Head of a hand puppet, with blue cap and long nose


Box 15 Head of male hand puppet with mustache and bicorne hat worn front-to-back


Box 15 Head of male hand puppet with mutton chops and bicorne hat worn side-to-side


Box 15 Head of male hand puppet with dark eyes and a painted moustache


Box 15 Head of male hand puppet with dark eyes and a small painted beard


Box 15 Head of male hand puppet with wig, rosy face, painted moustache


Box 15 Head of hand puppet with wig, painted moustache and beard



Box 14 Crocodile hand puppet



Box 15 Face for a hand puppet


Box 15 Face for a hand puppet


Box 15 Face for a hand puppet


Box 15 Face for a hand puppet


P10 Accession



Box 16 Picket fence shadow puppet


Box 16 Running dog shadow puppet


Box 16 Bare tree shadow puppet


Box 16 Head with hinged jaw shadow puppet


Box 16 Seal and unattached rod from a shadow puppet


Box 16 Ballerina shadow puppet


Box 16 Monkey shadow puppet


Box 16 Man with fuzzy hair shadow puppet


Box 16 Running man shadow puppet


Box 16 Table with purse shadow puppet


Box 16 Boat with rudder shadow puppet


Box 16 Profile of person with hinged arm shadow puppet



Box 17 Donkey shadow puppet


Box 17 Large bird shadow puppet


Box 17 Butterfly shadow puppet


Box 17 Fisherman and fish shadow puppet


Box 17 Large head with hinged jaw shadow puppet


Box 17 Man with hat and whip shadow puppet


Box 17 Man with fork shadow puppet


Box 17 Small bird shadow puppet


Box 17 Bull shadow puppet


Box 17 Cat shadow puppet


Box 17 Fence shadow puppet



Box 18 Boat with wheel and two sails shadow puppet


Box 18 Sailboat with sails attached shadow puppet


Box 18 Sailboat shadow puppet


Box 18 Large boat with potholes and netting shadow puppet



Box 19 Large sailboat marked C12 shadow puppet


Box 19 Large sailboat marked C10 shadow puppet


Box 19 Small sailboat marked C8 shadow puppet


Box 19 Steamship shadow puppet


P43 Accession



Box 24 Ombre chinoise, female dancer


Box 24 Ombre chinoise, female dancer


P44 Accession



Box 34 Toutatoua Prix de Beaute d'Afrique doll


Box 34 Tah-Dhor Prix de Beaute d'Asie doll


Box 34 Latin female doll


Box 34 Greek or Russian male doll


Box 34 Chinese female doll


Box 34 Chinese female doll


Subseries I.5: Ghana


P50 Accession



Box 46 African rod puppet


Subseries I.6: India


P42 Accession



Box 45 Green worm or fish rod puppet


Box 45 Elephant rod puppet


Box 45 Horse rod puppet


Box 45 Horse and chariot rod puppet


Box 45 Rooster rod puppet


Box 45 Yellow [goat] rod puppet


Box 45 Bull rod puppet


P51 Accession



Box TSP33 Rama shadow puppet



Box TSP25 Lakshmana shadow puppet



Box TSP38 Sita, shadow puppet



Box TSP35 Rakshana, shadow puppet



Box TSP37 Supanaka, shadow puppet



Box TSP41 Head of Dasa Kanta Ravana, shadow puppet



Box TSP32 Body of Dasa Kanta Ravana, shadow puppet


P52 Accession



Box TSP26 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP27 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP28 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP29 Indian shadow puppet; on horse



Box TSP30 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP31 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP34 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP36 Indian shadow puppet



Box TSP39 Indian shadow puppet


TSP Accession



Box TSP40 Indian shadow puppet


Subseries I.7: Indonesia


P18 Accession



Box 31 Wajang Golek rod puppet with light yellow face



Box 32 2 upper arms and 2 lower arms from Wajang Golek puppet P18.2



Box 31 Wajang Golek rod puppet with orange/pink face



Box 33 Wajang Golek rod puppet with white face


P39 Accession



Box 32 Wajang golek rod puppet



Box 33 Wajang golek rod puppet with red face



Box 32 Wajang golek rod puppet


Box 32 Wajang golek rod puppet


P80s Accession



Box 30 Wayang puppet


Box 30 Wayang puppet



Box 32 Arm of missing Wayang Golek rod puppet


Box 32 Six rods for Wayang Golek rod puppets


Box 32 Two wings for Wayang Golek rod puppet


Subseries I.8: Italy


P11 Accession



Box 20 Arlecchino marionette



Box 21 Arlecchino marionette



Box 20 Brighella marionette


Box 20 Pantalone marionette


Box 20 Il Dottore marionette


Box 20 Marionette of figure in white with black mask


Box 20 Marionette of figure in white with black mask


Box 20 Marionette of red-headed male in white with black cap and buttons



Box 21 Marionette of female in white with black buttons


Box 21 Skeleton marionette


Box 21 Marionette of red-headed king


Box 21 Marionette of queen in red dress


Box 21 Marionette of boy in tricorne hat


Box 21 Marionette of maid in black with white apron


Box 21 Marionette of young girl with blue flowers in hair


Box 21 Marionette of old woman with red ribbon around neck


P12 Accession



Box 27 Orlando rod puppet, 1875-1900


Box 27 Rinaldo rod puppet, 1875-1900


P33 Accession


Box 27 Rinaldo, 1900-1960


P34 Accession



Box 43 Sicilian rod puppet with cross on armor and shield



Box 44 Sicilian rod puppet with bird on armor and shield


Subseries I.9: Japan


P16 Accession



Box 25 Japanese female marionette


P17 Accession



Box 42 Japanese rod puppet, 1800-1899


P27 Accession


Box 42 Little man marionette


Box 42 Lion / Dragon marionette


P28 Accession


Box 42 Small mask of elderly man with beard


Box 42 Small mask of elderly woman


Box 42 Small mask of young woman


P37 Accession



Box 22 Japanese wig for a puppet


Box 22 Japanese wig for a puppet


P38 Accession


Box 22 Figurine with set of hair dressings of Japanese women artistically arranged in several forms


P46 Accession



Box 53 Clothed figure or doll of Shio-Kumi


P56 Accession



Box 47 Figurine on stand of male with cloth covering face


Box 47 Figurine on stand of male in black, holding scroll


Box 47 Figurine on stand of male in black, holding scroll


Box 47 Figurine on stand of male, fighting, painted white


Box 47 Figurine on stand of male, fighting, painted white


Box 47 FMusic stand with instruments


Box 47 Music stand with instruments


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


Box 47 Banner on stand with Japanese characters


P95 Accession



Box 22 Japanese male doll


Subseries I.10: Mexico


P48 Accession



Box 40 Jigging puppet of black figure with white hat


Box 40 Jigging puppet of male in blue and white cap


Box 40 Jigging puppet of woman with polka dot skirt


Box 40 Jigging puppet of female in polka dot top and purple skirt


Box 40 Jigging puppet of female in purple dress


Box 40 Jigging puppet of male in white shirt and pants with pink belt


Box 40 Jigging puppet of pink [devil]


Box 40 Jigging puppet of man with mustache and white hat


Box 40 Jigging puppet of man with mustache and white hat


Box 40 Jigging puppet of clown in white with black polka dots


Subseries I.11: Russia


P89 Accession



Box 34 Beggar doll made by Russian emigres living in Iran during WWII.


Box 34 Beggar doll made by Russian emigres living in Iran during WWII.


Box 34 Beggar doll made by Russian emigres living in Iran during WWII.


Subseries I.12: Thailand


P54 Accession



Box 31 Lakshana shadow puppet



Box 30 Laba shadow puppet


Box 30 Sita shadow puppet


P55 Accession



Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


Box 47 Head with headdress for court dancer figurine


P72 Accession


Box 47 Sculpture of Siamese dancer


Box 47 Sculpture of Siamese dancer


TSP Accession



Box TSP01 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP02 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP03 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP04 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP05 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP06 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP07 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP08 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP09 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP10 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP11 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP12 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP13 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP14 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP15 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP16 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP17 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP18 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP19 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP20 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP21 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP22 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP23 Thai shadow puppet



Box TSP24 Thai shadow puppet


Subseries I.13: Turkey


P13 Accession



Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of building with columns, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of rhinoceros, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of man with goat body, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of man with goat body, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of man with red striped cap, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of trees, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of man with horse/donkey body, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of Devil holding watering can, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of trees, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of rocks, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of woman holding flower, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of trees, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of tree, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of flag with X marked on it, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of small square, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of chest of drawers, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of closet, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of trees, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of L-shaped piece and attachment, 1800-1899


Box 23 Turkish shadow puppet of monkey on man's back, holding gun, 1800-1899


Subseries I.14: United States


P22 Accession



Box 6 Little Boy Blue marionette


P30 Accession



Box 24 Weight-lifter pantin


Box 24 Toe dancer pantin


Box 24 Wire walker pantin


Box 24 Trapeze artist pantin


Box 24 Horizontal bar gymnast pantin


Box 24 Loop-the-loop bicyclist pantin


Box 24 Elephant and trainer pantin


Box 24 Clown musician and dog pantin


Box 24 Clown with two dogs on see-saw pantin


Box 24 Horse with trainer pantin


P47 Accession



Box 57 Oedipus (sighted) marionette, 1931



Box 58 Jocasta marionette, 1931



Box 59 Don Quixote marionette, 1924



Box 49 Giant marionette, 1894-1948



Box 48 Dragon marionette, 1923



Box 56 Model for Clown puppet, 1934-1935


Subseries I.15: Puppets of Unknown Origin


P70s Accession



Box 51 Dollhouse accessories



Box 41 Model of Shakespeare's house, apparently for  tealights


P.75 Accession


Box 41 Ceramic figurine of unnamed comedian, with green jacketand red waistcoat


Box 41 Fred French ceramic figurine


Box 41 JH Stead ceramic figurine


P.76 Accession



Box 44 Small Textile


Box 44 Small Textile



Box 33 Small Textile


P.77 Accession



Box 2 Eskimo hand puppet with fur trim


Box 2 Hand puppet of female with head scarf


P.78 Accession



Box 60 Shadow puppet



Box 61 Shadow puppet


P.79 Accession



Box 54 Model of Helen Hayes as Queen Victoria


P80s Accession



Box 30 Wayang kerutjil puppet



Box 15 Weapon fragment belonging to an unidentified puppet



Box 32 Apron for a puppet



Box 29 Shadow puppet


P.90s Accession



Box 22 Wooden figurine of Shahuntola and Deer



Box 46 Figurine of elongated man



Box 52 Japanese theater diorama

Series II: Masks

This collection now contains 128 masks, mask molds, wigs, and plaster mask reproductions. The oldest mask in the collection is an 18th century Javanese dance mask. A gift from Prof. and Mrs. Samuel Eilenberg in 1963, the mask is also the most recent acquisition. The newest masks in the collection were made in 1955 for an American production of Lysistrata. The collection includes items from Japan, Italy, Java, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, India, and the United States. It is particularly abundant in Japanese, Mexican, and American masks.


Subseries II.1: Africa


M18 Accession



Box 62 African mask



Box 118 Chokwe mask of Mwana Po (beautiful girl)


M22 Accession



Box 124 African mask


M23 Accession



Box 125 African mask


Subseries II.2: Congo


M10 Accession



Box 66 Mashamboy ceremonial mask (mwash a mbooy)


Subseries II.3: Gabon


M21 Accession



Box 120 Kota ceremonial mask from Ogowe River


M90 Accession



Box 63 Modern cast of Bakota funerary mask



Box 183 Modern cast of Mponge or Balumbo ceremonial mask



Box 181 Modern cast of Mponge or Balumbo ceremonial mask


Subseries II.3: Guatemala


M20 Accession



Box 122 Carnival mask, 1800-1899


Subseries II.4: Indonesia


M3 Accession



Box 103 Javanese dance mask (male)



Box 100 Javanese dance mask (male)



Box 101 Javanese dance mask (male)



Box 104 Javanese dance mask (male)



Box 102 Javanese dance mask (male)


M26 Accession



Box 165 Javanese dance mask (male), 1750-1799


Subseries II.5: Italy


M2 Accession



Box 98 Female mask (possibly a saint), circa 1800



Box 99 Male mask (possibly a saint), circa 1800


Subseries II.6: Ivory Coast


M18 Accession



Box 117 Dan mask of forest demon


M21 Accession



Box 123 Ceremonial mask


M90 Accession



Box 169 Modern cast of Guro ceremonial mask



Box 167 Modern cast of Guro ceremonial mask (Ram)



Box 170 Modern cast of Guro ceremonial mask



Box 166 Modern cast of Baule ceremonial mask (Hyena)



Box 175 Modern cast of Guro ceremonial mask



Box 176 Modern cast of Dan ceremonial mask of Poro Secret Society



Box 177 Modern cast of Baule ceremonial mask (possibly a god)



Box 179 Modern cast of Guro ceremonial mask


Box 179 Modern cast of Baule ceremonial mask (Kakagye or Kuamnanbo)



Box 180 Modern cast of Baule ceremonial Mask (possibly Nyamye)


Subseries II.7: Japan


M1 Accession



Box 67 Noh mask



Box 68 Noh mask of adult male (possibly a warrior)



Box 69 Noh mask of adult male (possibly a warrior)



Box 70 Noh mask of adult male (possibly a warrior or demon)



Box 71 Noh mask of adult male (possibly a warrior or bandit)



Box 72 Noh mask of young male



Box 73 Noh mask of a demon



Box 74 Noh mask of a demon



Box 75 Noh mask of mad male (possibly Kantan Otoko)



Box 76 Noh mask



Box 77 Noh mask of old male (Maijo)



Box 78 Noh mask of old male (possibly Kojijo)



Box 79 Noh mask of old male (Okina)



Box 80 Noh mask of old male (possibly Okina)



Box 81 Noh mask of old male (Kojijo type)



Box 82 Noh mask of adult male (Otobide)



Box 83 Noh mask of a demon (Kumasaka)



Box 84 Noh mask of a demon



Box 85 Noh mask of a demon (possibly Shishiguchi)



Box 86 Noh mask of god



Box 65 Kyogen mask of adult female (Oto)



Box 87 Kyogen mask of adult female (Oto)



Box 88 Kyogen mask of adult female (possibly Oto)



Box 65 Kyogen mask of adult male



Box 89 Kyogen mask of old male (possibly Noborihige)



Box 90 Kyogen mask of adult male (possibly Enmei-Kwaia)



Box 91 Kyogen mask of young female



Box 92 Kyogen mask of a demon (Buaku)



Box 93 Bugaku mask of a demon



Box 94 God or Demon mask



Box 95 Young female mask



Box 96 Demon mask



Box 97 Demon mask


M7 Accession



Box 105 Noh mask of adult male (Hakuryo, the fisherman in "Hagoromo")


M11 Accession



Box 112 Gigaku mask of sacred bird (Karura)


Subseries II.9: Liberia


M90 Accession



Box 178 Modern cast of ceremonial mask of Poro Secret Society


Subseries II.10: Mexico


M12 Accession



Box 114 Carnival mask, modern



Box 113 Carnival mask, modern


Box 113 Carnival mask, modern


M13 Accession



Box 119 Carnival mask (miniature or for a child), modern


M14 Accession



Box 64 Carnival mask, modern


Box 64 Carnival mask, modern


M20 Accession



Box 121 Carnival mask


M24 Accession



Box 126 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 127 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 128 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 129 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 130 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 131 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 132 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 133 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 134 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 135 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 136 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 138 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 137 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 139 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 140 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 141 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 142 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 143 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 144 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 146 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 145 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 147 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 148 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 149 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 150 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 151 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 152 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 154 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 153 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 155 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 156 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 157 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 158 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 160 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 159 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 161 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 162 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 163 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899



Box 164 Carnival mask mold, 1800-1899


M90 Accession



Box 173 Modern cast of ceremonial mask from Teotihuacan, ca. 700 CE


Box 173 Modern cast of ceremonial mask from Teotihuacan, ca. 700 CE


Subseries II.11: New Guinea (Sepik River)


M90 Accession



Box 168 Modern cast of Ceremonial mask


Subseries II.12: Nigeria


M90 Accession



Box 182 Modern cast of Benin pendant mask


Subseries II.13: North America


M15 Accession



Box 115 Northwest American Indian ceremonial mask


M16 Accession



Box 116 Northwest American Indian ceremonial mask


M90 Accession



Box 171 Modern cast of Inuit ceremonial mask



Box 174 Modern cast of dance mask from the Northwest


Box 174 Modern cast of Inuit ceremonial mask


Subseries II.14: Sri Lanka


M4 Accession



Box 184 Shaman's mask


Subseries II.15: Thailand


M5 Accession



Box 107 Theatrical mask



Box 108 Theatrical mask



Box 109 Theatrical mask



Box 110 Theatrical mask



Box 111 Theatrical mask


Subseries II.16: United States


M90 Accession



Box 172 Modern cast of North American Indian ceremonial dance mask from Florida


Subseries II.17: Zaire


M8 Accession



Box 106 Ceremonial mask, helmet mask

Series III: Stage Models

This collection contains 30 models, both models of historic theatres and set designs for specific productions. The models were acquired between 1911 and the 1960s. The set designs were largely the gifts of the various people involved with productions, from set designers to producers, and were acquired fairly consistently throughout the museum's existence. The theatre models, on the other hand, were either gifts of Brander Matthews and other Dramatic Museum patrons or directly commissioned by the Museum, and were planned to display the full history of the theater when taken together. Global breadth appears to have been the goal of the BMDM's curators, who were desirous of adding a Spanish theatre model to the collection.

A broad rather than deep collection, it nevertheless has concentrations of French, English, American, and Japanese models. The earliest model, depicting a production of Leah Kleschna at the Manhattan Theatre in New York, was built in 1904. The latest models, both set designs, were built in 1966 for Japanese productions.

The several Joseph Urban set models which the BMDM had collected to illustrate various parts of that influential man's career were added to the over 300 set models in the Joseph Urban Papers when his widow presented them to the Museum in 1955, and are described in the Urban finding aid.

The numbering is that used in Donald Pace's Catalogue of the Brander Matthews Collection of Theatre Models (New York: Barnard College, 1973).


Subseries III.1: Historical Models


Theater of Dionysus (Athens), Plaster, Depth 53 1/2" x Width 43" x Height 22 1/2"


Model of the Roman Theatre in Orange, France built in the 2nd century CE

Model shows large auditorium, stage, and elaborate scaenae frons as they probably appeared during the time of the theatre's use until its closing in the fourth century. Exterior and interior shown in great detail. Scale is 1:100.



Location: RBML Mezzanine Model of a platform stage for the Valenciennes Mystery Play; France, 1547

Model is based on frontispiece of the manuscript of the Valenciennes Mystery Play, illustrated by Hubert Cailleau. God's throne and Hell's mouth frame the large stage, with a number of 'stations' in between. Created by Duvignaud and Gabin under the direction of Marius Sepet. Scale is 3:100.


Model of an English medieval pageant wagon of the 14th century

Conjectural model of a pageant wagon, halted in town square for the Chester Play ofNoah.Based on a 1911 production by Winthrop Ames at the New Theatre in New York. Created by Joseph Wickes under the direction of Hamilton Bell. Scale is 1:24.


Model of a platform stage in an English innyard of the 16th century

King's Players performingThe Nice Wanton(1550) on a scaffold stage in a Tudor innyard. Based on a 1911 production by Winthrop Ames at the New Theatre in New York. Created by Joseph Wickes under the direction of Hamilton Bell. Scale is 1:24.



Location: RBML- near Donor's Room Model of the Fortune Theatre; London, 1600

The Fortune playhouse opened one year after the Globe. Created by James P. Maginnis under the direction of Walter H. Godfrey. Scale is 3:100.


Model of a Renaissance theater setting of the early 16th century, based on Serlio

Model represents a combination of Serlio's comic and tragic settings, illustrating the use of forced perspective popular with Renaissance designers. Created by Joseph Wickes under the direction of Hamilton Bell.


Model of the setting for La Folie de Clidamant by Alexandre Hardy as seen at the Hotel de Bourgogne, Paris, ca. 1630

Shows the use of simultaneous settings at the Hotel de Bourgogne. With B11, shows differing methods of staging in 17th century French theatre. Based on sketch inLe Memoire de Mahelot;created by Davignaud and Gabin under the direction of Emile Perrin.


Model of the 17th century Theatre du Palais-Royal, Paris

Small cross-sectional model of the interior of the first theatre in France with a permanent proscenium and a stage designed for wing and drop scenery. Theater opened 1641; Moliere's theatrical home 1660-73.


Model of the 17th century Theatre du Palais-Royal, Paris

Small cross-sectional model of the interior of the first theatre in France with a permanent proscenium and a stage designed for wing and drop scenery. Theater opened 1641; Moliere's theatrical home 1660-73.


Model of the Salle des Machines, theater in the Tuilieries, Paris, in 1671

Represents a setting forPsycheby Moliere and Corneille, based upon a 1906 revival of the play at the Theatre Francaise. With B08, the model illustrates differing methods of staging in 17th century French theatre. La Salles de Machines was a large and extravagently-equipped theatre built by Gaspare Vigarani in a wing of the Tuileries.


Model of an outdoor theatre at Versailles, 1664

RepresentsLes Plaisirs de l'Isle Enchantee,a ballet with text and choreography by Moliere, commissioned by Louis XIV. The spectacle was performed in May 1664 on a stage built especially for the occasion. Model based on an engraving by Israel Sylvestre.


Model of the Duke of York's Playhouse, London, 1661

Model shows the deep apron, proscenium doors, and wing and drop scenery typical of theatres during the Restoration. A converted indoor tennis court, the Duke's Playhouse opened in January 1661. Created by Klaus Holm from research by Dr. Elizabeth Scanlan.


Model of the Drury Lane; London, 1778

Depiction of the "screen scene" fromA School for Scandalby Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Shows the use of wing and drop scenery on a deep stage, the depth of the forestage, proscenium doors, and stage boxes. Created by James P. Maginnis under the direction of Walter H. Godfrey, based on a contemporary print.



Location: RBML Mezzanine Set model for Legend of the White Snake; Chinese Mechanical Theatre

Large representation of a scene from the Chinese classical work


Toy Orchestra


Subseries III.2: Set Models


Set model for Les Deux Trouvailles de Gallus, Comedie Francaise, 1923

Model of the setting forLes Deux Trouvailles du Gallus,a combination of Victor Hugo's playsMargaritaandEsca.


Set model for Leah Kleschna Manhattan Theatre, New York,, 1904

Set model of fifth act ofLeah Kleschna,an orchard near Neustadt, Austria. The Manhattan Theatre (not to be confused with Hammerstein's Manhattan on 34th between Broadway and 6th Avenue) stood at 6th Ave and 33rd St.


Set model for Herod Lyric Theatre, New York,, 1909

Depiction of Herod at the Lyric Theatre on 42nd St between Broadway and 8th Ave. The setting reflects the opulence of early 19th century settings and a pioneering use of varying levels. Designed by Ernest Albert of the Lee-Lash Studios.


Location: RBML Mezzanine Set model for Return of Peter Grimm Belasco Theatre, New York,, 1910

Depiction of the elaborate stage setting for which Belasco was famous. Masking and backstage effects are painstakingly recreated. The theatre had the most advanced lighting equipment of its day.


Set model for Garden of Allah Century Theatre, New York,, 1911

For the scene represented in the model, real desert plants were imported. The Century Theatre stood at Central park West and 62nd Street.


Set model for Oliver Twist New Amsterdam Theatre; New York,, 1912

Depicts a section of the Thames near London Bridge, the setting of Act IV, Scene I. The New Amsterdam Theatre was at 214 West 42nd St.


Set model for Prunella Little Theatre, New York, 1913

Setting is a formal garden with a high wall across the back. The Little Theatre at 240 West 44th St. was one of the first off-Broadway theatres.


Set model for Abduction from the Seraglio (Mozart/Stephani), Metropolitan Opera; New York, 1946


Set model for Warrior's Husband (Thompson), Morosco Theatre, New York,, 1932


Set model for The Island God (Menotti), Metropolitan Opera, New York,, 1942


Set model for Todo by Nogami Yaeko, Geikyo Troupe; Haiyuza Theatre, 1965


Set model for Honcho Nijusho (Chikamatsu Hanji), Imperial Theatre, Tokyo,, circa 1925

Large model of two settings for the second act ofHoncho Nijusho.On the upper level is the setting for the first scene, a lakeside palace. Below it is one for the second scene, the palace garden. Shown are indications of the permanent stage house surrounding the setting.


Set model for Kamisori (Razor) by Kichizo Nakamura, Nippon Geigitso Gekijo; Tokyo,, 1966


Ejima Ikushima (Ejima and Ikushima) by Hakucho Masamune, 1966


Set model for Machigai (Mistake) by Hakucho Masamune, Kase Troupe; Tokyo, 1965


Set model for Blood Wedding by Frederico Garcia Lorca,, 1965