Antique Chinese Opera Rod Puppet 18" Wood Warrior Figure Late Qing Republic Lot For Sale

Authentic Antique Chinese Opera Rod Puppet / Folk Art Warrior Figure
Large 18-Inch Presentation Scale - Complete with Custom Gallery Display BaseUp for sale is an exceptionally characterful, authentic antique Chinese Opera theatrical puppet dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic Era, circa 1890–1930). Standing an impressive 18 inches tall (puppet alone) and weighing a substantial 4 pounds (without the base), this hand-carved wooden figure represents a classical theatrical warrior or military archetype, painted with bold black, white, and red mineral pigments.DESIGN AND ARTISAN CRAFTSMANSHIP
This piece showcases genuine turn-of-the-century performance puppet construction. The head is built utilizing a traditional two-piece block method (carved separately and joined to minimize head-weight), featuring a square-paneled access cavity on the upper back and a hollowed-out lower core through the base where stage manipulation strings originally ran. The top-knot hair is an authentic organic fiber element anchored directly into the crown.MECHANICAL UPDATES & BASE RIGGING

• Articulated Action: The upper back features a removable wooden access hatch cover. The interior cavity has been opened and functionally repaired so that the sword arm dynamically swings when the original rope trailing from the bottom of the piece is pulled.
• Secure Housing: The back access cover is held firmly in place using modern iron nails to ensure long-term display stability.
• Joint Reinforcements: Clear historical evidence shows the high-friction shoulder joints have been reinforced over time to keep the structural posing solid.
• Base Elements: The bottom cylinder features a large, honest age split running along the back (common for decades-old seasoned wood), but the body remains rock-solid. The base includes its original center manipulation aperture alongside two robust metal loop tie anchors attached directly to the outer sides of the wood block.

DEFINITIVE DETAIL: ASYMMETRICAL HANDS
Unlike common mass-produced reproductions, this figure features masterful, asymmetrical hand-carving intended by the original craftsman:

• Right Hand: Deeply hand-sculpted to firmly grip its original, removable flush-carved wooden blade weapon.
• Left Hand: Intentionally carved as a solid, symbolically clenched fist with painted detailing to simulate a hollow center, featuring a factory hole designed to accept an additional prop banner or pole arms (not included).

The piece is sculpturally complete exactly as it was created by the artisan. There are no missing wooden components or broken weapons.ANTIQUE PATINA AND CONDITION REPORT
Rich with authentic stage history, the puppet displays a magnificent weathered patina. It features beautiful microscopic paint checking (crazing) across the white face and honest paint flaking down to bare wood at high-friction points. A natural, deep vertical age split runs along the back spine and through the center of the skull due to decades of organic atmospheric wood drying; this is highly stable and serves as a premier marker of genuine antiquity. The unpainted wood deep inside the back mechanical cavity shows dark, rich natural oxidation proving its age.SPECIFICATIONS

• Height: 18 inches (puppet alone) / approx. 20–21 inches (including display base)
• Weight: 4 lbs (puppet alone without base)
• Materials: Hand-Carved Wood, Metal Joint Pins, Polychrome Pigments, Textile/Fiber Hair
• Mechanics: Articulated shoulders joined via heavy, flat-headed antique copper/brass pins showing a deeply oxidized brown patina.
• Display Mount: Includes a handsome, custom-fitted dark wooden pedestal base. Green protective felt floor-pads have been added to the underside by a previous collector to protect table surfaces.

SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Due to the heavy 4+ lb weight and the fragile nature of the hand-carved removable sword, this piece will be securely double-wrapped in heavy-duty bubble wrap with rigid cardboard inserts, and anchored inside a large corrugated box to prevent shifting. Shipped fully insured with tracking.Disclaimer: The provided information is based on historical and folk art research; no guarantees are implied. Please view all high-resolution photos carefully and ask any questions prior to offerding or purchasing.