Male Ventriloquist Dummy

Male Ventriloquist Dummy

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Description (Brief)
This is one of three ventriloquist dummies that belonged to Frederick Lamb. This figure, made of wood and painted black, has a hand carved head, a hinged jaw, glass eyes, and realistically carved hands and feet. His body is made of a soft stuffing material and is manipulated through a hole in his back. He is dressed in a child's red jacket with a bow tie and cotton pants and is wearing a pair of children's leather lace up shoes and a kepie style cap. It is unclear if Lamb actually made the figure or adapted it for his own use.
Lamb, born in 1883 in Nashville, Tennessee began his career at 12 years old when he ran away from home and joined a carnival. He traveled with carnivals, side shows, and circuses for almost 75 years, including performing for Queen Victoria.
Lamb's talents included ventriloquism, magic, a Punch and Judy show, and a repertoire of black face comedy skits. Lamb was exceptionally talented in that he was a double ventriloquist; he operated his dummies simultaneously and it appeared they were talking to each other and him at the same time. Later in life he traveled through Appalachia and coal mining communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina to provide entertainment for children and adults living in remote areas.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
dummy, ventriloquist
date made
ca 1875
maker
Lamb, Frederick
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
cloth (overall material)
leather (shoes material)
glass (eyes material)
Measurements
overall: 37 in x 11 in x 4 1/4 in; 93.98 cm x 27.94 cm x 10.795 cm
ID Number
1992.0225.02
catalog number
1992.0225.02
accession number
1992.0225
Credit Line
Charles S. (Charlie) Lamb
subject
Puppetry
Entertainment
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Puppets
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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