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Javanese Puppet Artists

About the Artist

Tri Suwarno (courtesy of IFAM)
Tri Suwarno (courtesy of IFAM)
Region:
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 Mt. Merapi Volcano "Kayon" "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1107

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c.2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (22" h. x 15" w. x 1/2" d., 31" h. including 9" handle).
"The Kayon or "Tree of Life" puppet is used in every performance to begin and end the show, to mark scene divisions, to represent the natural elements, extreme emotions, and a palace, home, forest or other type of place."  This Kayon specifically depicts the volcano Mt. Merapi, which erupted in Ocober 2010, and depicts the destruction of the villages below. It and the puppet of the "Volcano Keeper" Mbah Marijan who refused to leave his post and perished in the eruption, were both created by artist Tri Suwarno shortly after the event.  See the BBC story Spiritual guardian of Indonesian volcano dies.

$425

Gayon Fire Monster - "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-2203

Wayang Kulit Shadow puppet from Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with buffalo horn handle.  (32” h. x 18” w. x 1/2” d., 40 1/2“ h. including handle.)

The "Kayon" (gayon) puppet is used in every performance to begin and end the show, to mark scene divisions, to represent the natural elements, extreme emotions, and a palace, home, forest or other type of place." 

$425

Tiger  - Antique "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-2201

Wayang Kulit Shadow puppet from Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with bamboo handle.  (14" h. x 24" w. x 1/2" d., 23" h. including handle).

$185

Warrior - Antique "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-1304

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by unknown artist from Java, Indonesia,mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn handles (15 1/2" h. x 12" w. x 1/2" d., 21" h. including  6" handle).

$175

Buffalo - Antique "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-2202

Wayang Kulit Shadow puppet from Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with bamboo handle.  (14" h. x 24" w. x 1/2" d., 22 1/2“ h. including handle).

$175

Warrior - Antique "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-2204

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by unknown artist from Java, Indonesia,mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn handles (19” h. x 10 1/2” w. x 1/2” d., 25 1/2” h. including  6" handle).

$175

"Mbah Marijan" (The Volcano Keeper) "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1106

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c.2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (13" h. x 5 1/2" w. x 1/2" d., 21" h. including 8" handle).
This puppet commemorates the life and death of Mbah Marijan (Maridjan), the hereditary spiritual guardian of Java's Mt. Merapi volcano.  When the volcano erupted in October 2010, the 83 year old "volcano keeper" refused to leave his post.  He was later found dead in prayer position in his home, 5 km from the volcano summit.  See the BBC story Spiritual guardian of Indonesian volcano dies

$160

Horse - "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1102

Wayang Kulit Shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, 2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn handle.  (9 1/2" h. x 16" w. x 1/2" d., 17 1/2" h. including 8" handle).

$96

Elephant - "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1103

Wayang Kulit Shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, 2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn handle.  (9 1/2" h. x 15 1/4" w. x 1/2" d., 18 1/2" h. including 9" handle).

$96

"Buta Rambut Geni" (Ogre) Antique "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-1301

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by unknown artist from Java, Indonesia,mid-20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (16 1/2" h. x 11" w. x 1/2" d., 24 1/2" h. including  8" handle).

Buta Rambut Geni
One of the Javanese puppets, created at the time of Javanese kingdom of Mataram in 1552 has a special feature, hair of fire, bowlegged and a forehead like a rooster. Together with his colleagues, he appears in the Buta Prepat flower war.
This giant is actually bald. Perspiration from his scalp steams in the form of combustible gas. The giants head can be in a state of intense burning flames. That is why the Giants name is Rambutgeni.
When his head is in a state of intense burning, he is able to burn anything in its path.

$185

Product Status: 
Sold
"Kamajaya" ("The God of Love") "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1104

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c.2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (18 1/2" h. x 10" w. x 1/2" d., 26 1/2" h. including 8" handle).

$175

Product Status: 
Sold
"Ratih" ("The Goddess of Love") "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1105

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c.2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (12 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 1/2" d., 18 1/2" h. including 6" handle).

$135

Product Status: 
Sold
"Bagong" Clown ("Relax man") "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet by Tri Suwarno
SKU: INDOP-1101

Shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c. 2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles.  (9" h. x 5 3/4" w. x 1/2" d., 15 1/2" h. including 6 1/2" handle).

Bagong appears in Yogyakarta shadow puppet shows as one of the sons of Semar, along with Petruk and Gareng. The four characters together forms the group of Punokawan (clowns), cheered by the Indonesian audience as a break in the tension of the story and a moment of relaxation and laughter.

$75

Product Status: 
Sold
Naked Demon - Vintage "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-1302

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by unknown artist from Java, Indonesia, 20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with bamboo handle (15 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 1/2" d., 21 1/2" h. including  8" handle).

$75

Product Status: 
Sold
Ogre - Vintage "Wayang Kulit" Javanese Shadow Puppet
SKU: INDOP-1303

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by unknown artist from Java, Indonesia, 20th century.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with bamboo handle (13 3/4" h. x 9 1/2" w. x 1/2" d., 19" h. including  5" handle).

$75

Product Status: 
Sold