Wooden Jumping Jack Puppets
These wooden jumping jack puppets bring movement and a little mischief to a wall, shelf or desk. Bauhaus dancers, circus figures and other characters pose by hand — jointed arms and legs on metal rivets, a strings-free cousin of the marionette. They make an easy gift for an architect or a Bauhaus lover: flat, light, and already assembled.
Atelier Article has been drawing and making these characters in its Cherkasy workshop since 2012. The artwork is printed directly onto birch plywood, the pieces cut, edge-finished and riveted by hand. Finished height is 27–41 cm depending on the design; exact dimensions and materials are on each product page.
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So, what is a jumping jack puppet?
It is a flat wooden figure with movable joints at the shoulders, hips and knees. On our puppets, each joint turns on a metal rivet. Move an arm or leg into place and it stays there until you decide to change the pose.
There are no control strings, so this is not a marionette operated from above; Atelier Article makes these figures as wall and shelf decor.
Made one at a time in our Cherkasy workshop
We begin with an original drawing and print it directly onto birch plywood. It is not a sticker: the grain remains visible through the colour and becomes part of the finished character. We then cut the pieces, finish the edges and join the limbs by hand.
The back is left as natural plywood. Since the grain changes from one sheet to the next, no two surfaces look exactly alike.
A quick look at size and display
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Height | 27–41 cm, depending on the character |
| How they move | Move each metal-riveted limb by hand |
| Material | Birch plywood with the artwork printed directly onto the wood |
| How to display | Hang one by the brass hook, or sit or lean it on a shelf |
| Choosing a size | Use smaller figures in a group, or let a larger character stand on its own |
A few practical questions
Is a jumping jack puppet the same as a marionette?
Not quite. A marionette hangs from control strings and is operated from above. Our jumping jack puppets have no strings; you move each riveted limb by hand and leave it in the pose you like.
Are these wooden puppets toys or decorative objects?
We make them as wall and shelf decor, not as toys for rough play. The joints are meant for changing the pose, and the brass hook is there for hanging the figure.
Does each puppet arrive assembled and ready to hang?
Yes. It arrives fully assembled with a small brass hook on the natural plywood back. You only need to choose a pose and a place to put it.
What size are the wooden jumping jack puppets?
They range from 27 to 41 cm tall. You will find the exact height in each product title and specifications.
Prepared by the Atelier Article workshop in Cherkasy, Ukraine. Product details checked August 14, 2026. Read the full wooden jumping jack puppet guide.