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Small works of art, handcrafted for three generations

In the heart of our ancient workshop, amid the scent of terracotta, brushes and coloured fabrics, an art form is born that has been passed down for nearly a century. Every puppet is a one-of-a-kind piece: from the moulding of the terracotta head to the painting of every detail, from the hand-sewn costumes to the choice of accessories. Over 50 different characters — from the legendary Pulcinella to the heroes of the most beloved fairy tales — each crafted through 72 hours of meticulous artisan work.

The Making

Magic in motion: how are our puppets born?

This art form combines artisan mastery and creativity, bringing small terracotta creatures to life — creatures that, in the hands of skilled puppeteers, come alive to be brought to life by our young audiences and, why not, adults too.

01 Moulding

Artisan moulding of a terracotta puppet head by the Mercurio family

The process begins with a careful selection of materials, first and foremost terracotta: a robust material, as durable as it is mouldable. Using specially made custom moulds created for this purpose, we achieve a meticulous result. We allow the material to cool inside the moulds and extract it with particular care and precision, before moving on to the next stage: painting.

02 Painting

Artisan painting of facial details on a Mercurio handcrafted puppet

We pay particular attention and deep care to the crafting of anatomical details and facial expressions through the art of painting, using vivid and brilliant colours — for it is these small elements that bring each individual puppet to life. We use only water-based, completely non-toxic and safe colours, which enhance and highlight the distinctive and enchanting features of each character. Every shade is studied to capture the essence of the puppet, from the cunning of a wily character to the gentleness of a kind spirit. We complete this delicate phase with a coat of water-based flatting: a solution that provides protection and shine to the painted surface.

03 Dressing

Handcrafted puppet being dressed in hand-sewn costume by the Mercurio family

Once the painting phase is complete, we finish with the "dressing" of the puppet, completing it with its accessories. We use a wide selection of coloured fabrics: all garments are hand-sewn individually, as tradition once dictated, enriched with accessories that give further character and value to each figure.

04 Distribution

Burattini Mercurio ultimati pronti per la distribuzione e gli spettacoli

Once our puppets are finished, they undergo a final quality check, where we verify that they are completely intact and free of defects. You will then find them on display during our shows, on a stand specially made for them — you will be spoilt for choice!

Our Puppets

The collection: over 50 clay friends that come to Life in our hands

Set your imagination free: buy or create your own favourite character!

How to Buy Our Puppets

This art form combines artisan mastery and creativity, bringing small terracotta creatures to life — creatures that, in the hands of skilled puppeteers, come alive for our young audiences and adults alike. Would you like to take home a unique piece of Neapolitan tradition? You can buy your favourite puppet directly at one of our shows: visit the "Upcoming Shows" section on the Homepage to find out the date and location. We look forward to seeing you!

Collection of Mercurio handcrafted puppets available for purchase at the shows