handdockor

Handdockor is a term used in Swedish to denote hand puppets, a form of puppet controlled directly by the puppeteer’s hand. In English, these are commonly referred to as hand puppets. Handdockor are designed so that the puppeteer inserts the hand into a hollow built to resemble a head and upper torso, allowing movement of the mouth, head, and sometimes the arms through finger and palm manipulation. Basic forms include glove puppets, where the puppeteer’s hand provides most of the control, and variants that incorporate sleeves or internal mechanisms to enable additional gestures.

Construction and materials for handdockor typically include fabric, foam padding, and lightweight shells. The head and facial features are often shaped from foam or soft latex, covered with fabric or felt. Mouth movement is usually achieved by a simple mechanism inside the puppet or by moving the puppeteer’s own fingers to articulate the mouth and, in some designs, the eyes or eyebrows. Simpler handdockor may be hand-stitched or sewn from modular components for quick production and repair.

Use and history: Handdockor have a long history in many cultures as a portable means of storytelling and performance. They are widely used in children’s theatre, education, and therapy because they offer immediate character expression without the need for extensive rigging. Their simplicity makes them durable for classroom settings and community theatre alike.

Design considerations include balance, visibility, and ease of manipulation. Puppeteers aim for a convincing appearance while keeping the performer’s hand comfortable and capable of sustained use. See also glove puppet, puppetry, ventriloquism.