Puppet, Overhead

in the puppet theater, a puppet that is located above the screen during the show, over the head of the puppeteer who is operating it; the puppeteer is concealed from the spectators by the screen.

The principal varieties of overhead puppets are those that are put over the hand and those that are put on rods. The term was introduced by Russian folk puppeteers in order to distinguish the overhead puppet from the marionette, which is located below the puppeteer who is operating it. During the 16th century the overhead puppet was widely used throughout all the countries of Europe.