Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. late 19th century to early 20th century CE. A fantastic example of a Javanese Wayang black and red wooden puppet with fine detailing and exquisite color, carved and painted on both sides, with articulated arms that move at the shoulders and elbows. The figure has a zoomorphic face with large red lips and a small red eye; it wears a carved belt with a carved, curved dagger thrust through it. A long wooden pole extends from the base of the figure, allowing it to be held during a dance. The character is probably from a Hindu epic story like the Ramayana or Mahabharata. Size: 9.75" W x 20.75" H (24.8 cm x 52.7 cm); 23.85" H (60.6 cm) on included custom stand.

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 private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection

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#129964

Intact, with both articulated arms present. Nice remaining pigment.