Servantes are
theatrical properties or "props" used by
magicians
Magician or The Magician may refer to:
Performers
* A practitioner of magic (supernatural)
* A practitioner of magic (illusion)
* Magician (fantasy), a character in a fictional fantasy context
Entertainment
Books
* ''The Magician'', an 18th-ce ...
. 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
A dumbwaiter is a small freight elevator or lift intended to carry food. Dumbwaiters found within modern structures, including both commercial, public and private buildings, are often connected between multiple floors. When installed in restauran ...
."
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
Felt is a textile that is produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or animal fur, or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic fiber, acrylic or acrylonitrile or ...
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
Magic (illusion)
{{magic-stub