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Lot #134. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance | "Sleepy" Podling Full-Body Puppet
13007 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, California 90249
Phone 310-836-1818 | Fax 310-742-0155
February 6, 2026
An original animatronic puppet head for the vain and vile Skeksis, skekEkt the Ornamentalist (performed and voiced by Alice Dinnean), from the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019). Head sculpted by Miles Teves.
Two types of heads were created for each of the Skeksis puppets in the series – a hand puppet and an animatronic puppet. The animatronic heads were used during full-body shots of the Skeksis puppets, where the puppeteers inside would have to puppeteer both hands of the Skeksis, leaving the head to be puppeteered via remote control. In close up shots, the Skeksis heads would be hand puppets for puppeteers.
This head is comprised of carved and hand-painted foam latex with fiberglass beak, cast resin teeth, and foam latex tongue. It features The Ornamentalist's signature tall, red hair ponytail with bow in the center. Each strand of hair on the head was hand-punched by fabricators from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. A lace collar is present below The Ornamentalist's neck, and two "pearl" earrings hang from its jowls. On each top eyelid, a strand of ornate fabric is adhered above the eye. Below the neck is a puppeteer sleeve, underneath of which is the animatronics system - a collection of electrical wiring and servos that controlled the head via remote control. At the base of the animatronics is a metal bar with two open latches, which would lock into place with the circular metal collar around the neck of the Skeksis' puppet body.
The Ornamentalist was the creator of the signature style of the Skeksis, called "Garthic," the design of which was used throughout all of their furniture, tools, utensils, and more. While they are slightly better mannered than the other Skeksis, The Ornamentalist still has a ruthless streak in them, including using Podlings as test subjects for new cosmetic products, even if the products are toxic.
This head comes mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.
Dimensions: Overall: 25 x 18 x 22 inches
Category: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Puppets
Provenance: PROVENANCE From The Jim Henson Company
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.
This puppet comes posed and mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.
Please Note: All Jim Henson auction lots require custom crating to ensure safe transport. Shipping and crating will be coordinated through experienced third-party specialty shippers, with all related costs the responsibility of the buyer. Pickup is available from our Gardena, California location by appointment only beginning December 1, 2025. Please refer to your invoice for scheduling details.
Dimensions: Overall: 41 x 18 x 13 inches
Category: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Puppets
Provenance: PROVENANCE From The Jim Henson Company
The full-body puppet for the "Sleepy" Podling that is seen primarily in the fourth episode of the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019), entitled, "The First Thing I Remember Is Fire." When Rian (performed by Neil Sterenberg and voiced by Taron Egerton) ducks into a Podling Hut to get out of a storm, he is greeted by a rowdy group of Podling patrons playing music and indulging in food and drink. This eye-patch wearing "Sleepy" Podling is the drummer of the band playing at the Podling Hut who, at one point, is seen having a drink blasted into its mouth from a barrell being held by another Podling - all while still playing the drums.
The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex, with wig hair. Its hand and feet are also foam latex. Please note: this puppet only contains one hand. Its costume is comprised of a striped cotton nightgown-esque main garment, with a cotton-linen knit sleeveless jacket with gathering at the sleeves, leather hat, and adhered resin eye-patch.
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.
This puppet comes posed and mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.
Please Note: All Jim Henson auction lots require custom crating to ensure safe transport. Shipping and crating will be coordinated through experienced third-party specialty shippers, with all related costs the responsibility of the buyer. Pickup is available from our Gardena, California location by appointment only beginning December 1, 2025. Please refer to your invoice for scheduling details.
Dimensions: Overall: 26 x 15 x 11.75 inches
Category: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Puppets
Provenance: PROVENANCE From The Jim Henson Company
The Withered Vapran Paladin puppet from the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019). This Paladin is seen in the fifth episode, "She Knows All the Secrets," as one of the seven "volunteers" that the Skeksis, skekVar the General and skekZok the Ritual Master, inspect to take back to the Castle of the Crystal. This Paladin is singled out by skekVar when he asks, "What's wrong with that one's face?" and skekZok responds, "I think it's just... old." SkekVar orders the Paladin to leave, and the Paladin does so while muttering under his breath, "I'm not that old."
The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex. Its costume is comprised of a linen-style cloak backed with iridescent silk, and painted leather armor and face guard with individualized pattern. Puppet sculpted by Greg Aronowitz.
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 has no hands or legs.
This puppet comes posed and mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.
Please Note: All Jim Henson auction lots require custom crating to ensure safe transport. Shipping and crating will be coordinated through experienced third-party specialty shippers, with all related costs the responsibility of the buyer. Pickup is available from our Gardena, California location by appointment only beginning December 1, 2025. Please refer to your invoice for scheduling details.
Dimensions: Overall: 36 x 15 x 11.5 inches
Category: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Puppets
Provenance: PROVENANCE From The Jim Henson Company
One of the Sifan Attendants that arrives alongside the other members of the Sifan Clan in support of the rest of the Gelfling during the Second Battle of Stone-in-the-Wood in the final episode of the prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 2019), entitled, "A Single Piece Was Lost." Puppet sculpted by Chad Waters.
The puppet's head is made of sculpted and hand-painted foam latex with wig hair punched into it. Its elaborate costume is a silk garment with loose knit overlay, cotton backing, batting detailing, Mandarin-style collar, asymmetrical jacket that is high in front and contains a slight train in the back, and cotton pants. The ornate hat is painted leather detailed with heated plastic shapes, aquarium/terrarium plastic plants, and 3-D printed metallic filaments.
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.
This puppet comes posed and mounted on a stand custom-built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featuring an identifying emblem.
Please Note: All Jim Henson auction lots require custom crating to ensure safe transport. Shipping and crating will be coordinated through experienced third-party specialty shippers, with all related costs the responsibility of the buyer. Pickup is available from our Gardena, California location by appointment only beginning December 1, 2025. Please refer to your invoice for scheduling details.
Dimensions: Overall: 40.5 x 12.5 x 13 inches
Category: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Puppets
Provenance: PROVENANCE From The Jim Henson Company
