Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes by IC Design

Posable wooden figures after Sophie Taeuber-Arp’s 1918 Dada marionettes: The King, with throne.

IC Design’s licensed edition, made with the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, re-creates figures from Sophie Taeuber-Arp’s 1918 Dada marionettes. Each is built from painted wooden parts joined by bendable wire, so you pose it by hand; there are no strings. Seated on his 4-inch throne the King reaches 12.6 inches, or 15 inches standing. Made by hand in Germany.

Taeuber-Arp (1889–1943) was a Swiss artist, designer and dancer and one of the central figures of Dada. Her marionettes, long known mainly in artist circles, merged Dada performance with constructivism and count among the most important works of the avant-garde. According to IC Design, the original set of 17 marionettes was made for a Dada version of Carlo Gozzi’s play King Stag, and this re-edition is limited to 100 of each figure.

Specifications

• Brand: IC Design (Zurich)
• Model: Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes
• Designer: Sophie Taeuber-Arp, 1918
• Materials: Painted wood and flexible wire
• Figures: The King; The Stag
• The King: Seated H 12.6"; upright H 15"; throne Ø 4"
• The Stag: H 11" × Ø 4.5"
• Strings: None: posable wooden figures
• Edition: Licensed edition with the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
• Edition size (icdesign.ch): Limited to 100 of each figure
• Made in: Germany (hand-crafted)
• Item numbers (MPN): The King: IC-STA-02; The Stag: IC-STA-03

Features

• Painted wood and flexible wire
• Designed by Sophie Taeuber-Arp (1918)
• Made in Germany (hand-crafted)
• IC Design edition

Best for

Shelves, mantels, desks and collections of modern art editions. Also from IC Design: Sophie Taeuber-Arp Wooden Candlestick, Bauhaus Christmas Ornaments, Set of 12, Isamu Noguchi Chess Set.

Who this is not for

• Anyone wanting a string puppet to perform with: these are posable figures without strings.
• Anyone who needs it within a day or two: it ships in 2–3 business days.
• Shoppers looking for a mass-produced lookalike: this is a licensed IC Design edition, and the details reflect that.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009. IC Design is the Zurich company behind licensed re-editions of 20th-century artist and designer objects, made with museums, estates and foundations.

Buy once: durability and care

Our advice: dust gently with a soft, dry brush and pose the limbs slowly so the wire joints last.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes?

Seated H 12.6"; upright H 15"; throne Ø 4".

What is the Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes made of?

Painted wood and flexible wire. Made in Germany (hand-crafted).

Can I order The Stag?

The King is available.

How do I care for the Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes?

Our advice: dust gently with a soft, dry brush and pose the limbs slowly so the wire joints last.

How fast does the Sophie Taeuber-Arp 1918 Dada Marionettes ship?

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Gifting & trade orders

Buying several as gifts, or for a shop, museum store or interior project? Contact us for quantities.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on IC Design and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Furnishing a hotel suite, a children’s space or a shop display? Contact us with items and quantities and we’ll confirm availability.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.