Pelham Puppets Harlequin

The Harlequin marionette produced by Pelham Puppets is based on the classic "commedia dell'arte" theatrical character. This traditional Italian theater figure is known for his checkered costume and acrobatic, mischievous nature. Pelham Puppets adapted this historical theater trope into a wooden toy.

The Pelham Puppets company was founded by Bob Pelham in England in 1947. His puppet company became famous for making traditional string puppets affordable and accessible to children across the UK. The Harlequin was one of many standard theatrical characters produced by his factory.

The Harlequin puppet typically features a brightly colored, multi-colored diamond-patterned outfit. The wooden head and hands are hand-painted, and the puppet is suspended from a characteristic wooden airplane-style control bar. Its design is instantly recognizable to collectors of mid-century British toys.

Yes, the Harlequin was part of Pelham Puppets' "Character Puppets" line, which included various figures from folklore and theater. This line was highly popular in the mid-20th century and remains popular among vintage toy collectors today. The company produced these theatrical staples alongside their licensed television characters.