#gelfling puppet

Generic Stonewood #1 Gelfling Full-Body Puppet - Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction on Julien's Auctions, sold for $51,200 - Lot 127

Yes, you are reading that right. $51,200. For Generic Stonewood #1. That's almost as much as the Crystal of Truth sold for ($64,000).

"A Stonewood Gelfling puppet from the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019). This is a background puppet seen in multiple scenes and episodes throughout the series. Puppet sculpted by Toby Froud.

The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex with wig hair punched into it. Its costume is dual-suede tunic with quilted wool, cotton-backed mantle and gauntlets, a wool-fabric belt with leather strap piping, cotton-linen stockings, and leather boots. The tassels that hang from the arms of the garment are lovingly referred to internally as "Froud Shrouds," in reference to The Dark Crystal's original designer, Brian Froud, and fabricator, Wendy Froud. During the filming of the original film, the Frouds added tassels to hang from the sleeves of the Gelfling puppets to help hide the puppeteering rods for the arms. Despite having the technology in place to digitally remove rods for the prequel series, the Frouds insisted that the tassels remain on the arms of the Gelflings because the style had already been established.

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 (and feet) 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.

This puppet comes posed and mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.

Dimensions: Overall: 38.25 x 14 x 13 inches"

Daudran of the Order of Lesser Service Puppet - Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction on Julien's Auctions, sold for $7,680 - Lot 161

"The Daudran leader of the Order of the Lesser Service puppet from the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019). He is a Gelfling from the Vapra clan and can be seen primarily in the third episode, "What Was Sundered and Undone," when Brea is sent to the Order of the Lesser Service as punishment for wiping the memory of Elder Cadia. The Daudran was performed by Olly Taylor and voiced by Dustin Demri-Burns. Puppet sculpted by Mitch Devane.

The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex with gray wig hair punched into it. Its elaborate costume is comprised of a tunic made of linen and cotton with Tapunto quilting detailing, a layered vest featuring a sheer chiffon overlaid with an open weave knit and top-stitch embroidery for a folk motif and then backed with a poly-blend, and a hat comprised of thick cotton with appliquéd piping for three-dimensional purposes. A puppeteer's sleeve and a non-operational pump for controlling the puppet's ears are present underneath the puppet's costume. The tassels that hang from the arms of the tunic are lovingly referred to internally as "Froud Shrouds," in reference to The Dark Crystal's original designer, Brian Froud, and fabricator, Wendy Froud. During the filming of the original film, the Frouds added tassels to hang from the sleeves of the Gelfling puppets to help hide the puppeteering rods for the arms. Despite having the technology in place to digitally remove rods for the prequel series, the Frouds insisted that the tassels remain on the arms of the Gelflings because the style had already been established. 

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. Please note: this puppet does not include hands.

The Daudran of the Order of the Lesser Service is seen again in the final episode of the series, "A Single Piece Was Lost," alongside the other members of the Vapra Clan who arrive in support of the rest of the Gelfling during the Second Battle of Stone-in-the-Wood, as well as in the first episode, "End. Begin. All the Same." in line for the tithing ceremony for the Skeksis.

Dimensions: Overall: 41 x 18 x 13 inches"