Overdressed Vapran Lady Puppet ("Betty Brillo") - Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction on Julien's Auctions, sold for $11,520 - Lot 129
"An Overdressed Vapran Lady puppet from the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019). She is a Gelfling from the Vapra clan and is seen in multiple episodes during scenes taking place in Ha'rar. This includes in the first episode, "End. Begin. All the Same," when she pushes Brea (performed by Alice Dinnean and voiced by Ana Taylor Joy) into the street right in front of the wheels of an incoming Skeksis carriage; and in the fifth episode, "She Knows All the Secrets," where Hup spots the Overdressed Lady speaking to a tailor and uses her as a distraction to steal some fancier clothing for Deet to wear. Puppet head sculpted by Chad Waters.
The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex with blonde and pink wig hair punched into it. Its elaborate gown is comprised of velvet and organza with a bubbled hemline that creates volume at the base. The gown also contains voluminous, mid-19th century inspired, mutton-style sleeves that come out from the shoulders and contain adhered velvet detailing. Two wired fixtures are affixed to the puppet's backside. Her hat is felted wool, painted linen, and tulle with painted velvet appliqué piece of fruit. Built inside of the puppet's head is a metal plate with two screws backed with magnets and affixed to the glass taxidermy eyes to allow the puppeteer to control the puppet's eyes. This metal plate also served as a resting place for the puppeteer's hand. A protective covering of either leather or another material was also built into the inner mouthpiece so the puppeteer's hand wouldn't sweat through. The body of the puppet is an articulated pod with foam arms with inner wooden dowels to create bone structures. The arms of the puppets were created to be foam latex up to the elbow and then have the ability to be Velcro'd on and off for easy replacement, as damage was a regular occurrence because of prop usage or rod replacement
Dimensions: Overall: 39 x 18.5 x 20 inches"
