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 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 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 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).
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.
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).
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).
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.
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).
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).
