Servantes are theatrical properties or "props" used by magicians. Their purpose is to assist the magician to misdirect the audience by storing and concealing items, such as playing cards, cups, or balls. The term "servante" comes from the French for "dumbwaiter."
Usage
Servantes may be drawers or shelves built into the magician's table, out of sight of onlookers. These are often padded or lined with felt to allow the magician to drop objects onto it quietly. Another type of servante is a simple bag or pouch hanging from the magician's belt or vest.
Some magicians keep their props in plain sight; a ring may be used to keep the pouch open. Other magicians keep their servantes concealed to enhance the illusion.
References
- Hatton, Henry; Plate, Adrian (23 January 2003). Magician's Tricks. Dover Publications. p. 342. ISBN 9780486425160. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- Hopkins, Nevil Monroe (1898). Twentieth Century Magic and the Construction of Modern Magical Apparatus. G. Routledge & sons, limited. p. 15. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- Schutte Teale, Oscar (1920). Higher Magic: Magic for the Artist. Adams Press Print. p. 255. ISBN 978-1-02-231433-7. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
 | This magic-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |