Puppet Show

Dearest children, rejoice as one!

For I am King Solomon

A great king both in power and might

My palace splendid, large and bright

I’m wise in judging rights and wrongs

As well as writing beautiful songs

I never err, I rule so well

In Judah and in Israel

King Solomon, the queen of Sheba, Simeon the physician, Ahisar the servant - puppets bring the times of the great Israelite kingdoms back to life.

Käte Baer-Freyer made and painted these plywood puppets in 1924. There was a stick to hold each figure and three wires to move the arms and head. There was also a book to go along with the puppets, written in rhyme by her husband, Albert Baer. Curtain up!

With children’s riddles and a touch of slapstick, the young audience experienced the meeting between the wise King Solomon and the legendary Queen. The biblical story tells how the Queen of Sheba comes to Jerusalem with gold and precious stones, with a view to testing Solomon's legendary wisdom. When he answers all her questions correctly, she praises his God, hands over to him her riches and is presented with a gift in return.

The verses were intended to bring Bible into the lives of the younger generation and, ultimately, prepare them for a potential emigration to Palestine, which was Käte and Albert Baer’s own plan. They emigrated to Palestine with their children in 1933.