wayang golek (rod puppet), unknown maker from Indonesia

Episode 189 May-2009, Megan Ampe I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. A striking Indonesian puppet in the Spencer collection stands approximately 21 inches tall and was created by an unknown artist before 1979. In the Javanese puppet theater puppets similar to this one are often used in the performance of fables that narrate the life of Rama and the struggle between good and evil. The head and upper torso of the puppet are made from carved and painted wood. The large head is endowed with an elaborate headdress, and the face bears a prominent nose and wide mouth, while its eyes and brows are delicately painted. The puppet wears a black velvet smock, over a long patterned batik skirt in rust, cream, and black. The yoke of the smock covers the puppet’s shoulders, chest and upper back. However, the puppet’s bare lower back reveals the gold paint that covers its torso. The ends of a cream sash fall on either side of the puppet’s waist, and its long slender arms are extended with wrists cocked and palms revealed. Attached to each hand is a dowel, which would have been used to manipulate the puppet during a performance. With thanks to Megan Ampe for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.