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." 

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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

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).

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).