**Originally Listed at $400**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A set of eleven Javanese Wayang polychrome painted leather puppets with fine detailing and exquisite color, skillfully cut and painted on both sides, several with articulated arms and attached sticks for the puppeteer, and additional painted embellishments. Such puppets are part of a rich Indonesian artistic tradition in which puppets were created as a playful medium to disseminate religion, whether that be Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity. The strong aesthetic quality of these puppets is characteristic of puppets from this part of the world. Size: taller examples approximately 36" H (91.4 cm)

These puppets are used in Wayang, a theatrical performance unique to Java that uses puppets and human dancers. This style of theatre has been designated by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage since 2003. This particular type of puppet - operated by rods connected to the hands - is known as a wayang golek, which today is associated with the Sundanese culture of West Java. This area and the northern part of Java are home to some of the oldest Muslim kingdoms on the island and it is believed that, from the 17th century onward, puppets of this style were used to tell stories of Muslim history; later, it became a way to tell the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabarata. Several types of these puppets i.e. the suket puppet, puppet klitik, Krucil puppets, puppet gedog, and wayang beber are no longer created or used.

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois USA, acquired prior to 1970.

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#123373

These puppets are in various states of condition; some excellent, a few repaired, a few missing limbs or with separated limbs, sticks, and/or appendages. All with expected surface wear commensurate with age.