I’m a cheerful devil marionette who has a deep fondness for your human world, far more than the realm of hell. Rather than spooking people or, heaven forbid, taking them to hell, I’d rather make friends with everyone. The underworld is quite hot and dark, and I don’t particularly fancy it myself. I thrive on play, and I adore people, especially children. Children are the most fun, as they possess an infinite imagination and come up with the most captivating stories, in which I’m delighted to play a role.
Čert does not conform to the stereotypical evil character. Čert is not an alternative to the devil, although they share many similarities. In Czech and Slovak folk tales, he serves as Lucifer’s subordinate, occupying a low-ranking laborer or assistant position. A typical depiction of Čert includes a hirsute man with a tail, horns, and one or two hoofs. He often changes his appearance, sometimes represented as a handsome young man, a count, or a huntsman.
Instead, he often tries to tempt individuals into selling their souls in exchange for wealth, power, or tasks unachievable for humans. These deals typically lead to unfortunate outcomes for the greedy or wicked characters. At other times, Čert assumes various roles, shifting from a trickster to the tricked when he loses a bet against a hero who outsmarts him, thereby winning their soul back. As a result, Čert is often compelled to perform remarkable feats, such as building castle walls in a single day, digging fish ponds, moving massive stones, or creating hills and mountains. On occasions, Čert assumes a positive role by escorting evil characters to hell. He frequently helps or befriends heroes in this process, bestowing upon them various magical items and treasures. Occasionally, Čert aligns with common folks, becoming a renegade and defying his former boss, Lucifer.
This marionette is suitable for both professional puppeteers and those new to the art. It’s meticulously carved from linden wood and painted with precision using oil paints. Please anticipate subtle variations when comparing it to the images on our website.
