Shadow Puppet Item Number: 2872/9 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Shadow puppet of a 2 dimensional human-like figure riding a large mythical bird. The golden skinned figure has a black face with red markings, and long curling black hair. He wears an elaborate, colourful headdress and a robe around his shoulders that falls to his feet. Bracelets adorn wrists and ankles. In front of the figure sits a small green lizard. The bird Garuda has long blue feathers making up tail and wings, and small, delicate brown feathers on the chest. The eyes are red and staring, and a long snout displays many sharp white teeth. It stands on grey birdlike feet on floral grounding. The leather of the puppet is pierced with patterns of lines, holes and curlicues, which allow light to shine through. The whole is held up by a horn handle attached to the leather with fibre. The puppet is painted identically on both front and back. Part b is a small black wooden stand with the word “Winged” written in marker on the bottom, as well as “Kresna” and “(Arjuna Wisnu Rama)” written in black ink.
History Of Use
Indonesian shadow puppet (wayang kulit) used in puppet stage plays of Vishnu(?) riding Garuda, a large mythical bird.
Item History
- Made in Java, Indonesia
- Collected between 1990 and 1999
- Owned by Betty Cairney
- Owned by Jack Cairney before March 15, 2011
- Received from Jack Cairney (Donor) on March 15, 2011
What
- Name
- Shadow Puppet
- Identification Number
- 2872/9 a-b
- Type of Item
- puppet
- Material
- water buffalo skin, paint, horn and fibre
- Overall
- height 51.0 cm, width 30.5 cm, depth 1.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Javanese
- Previous Owner
- Betty Cairney and Jack Cairney
- Received from
- Jack Cairney (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Java, Indonesia
When
- Collection Date
- between 1990 and 1999
- Ownership Date
- before March 15, 2011
- Acquisition Date
- on March 15, 2011
Other
- Condition
- excellent
- Accession Number
- 2872/0009 a-b