Wayang puppet from Indonesia
Object No. 2007/44/7
This wayang kulit shadow puppet is part of an interesting collection of objects that was acquired over numerous years by the donor during his tenure as Trade Commissioner with the Australian Trade Commission. The donor, accompanied by his wife, lived in Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, India and China from the late 1950s through to the mid 1980s. Historically, Australia has shared a strong emotional and economic bond with Great Britain. From the 1970s until the present, the emphasis has been on increasing and strengthening Australia's relationship with Asia. This collection reflects Australia's shift in attitude toward travel and trade with our Asian neighbours. The tradition of wayang kulit (shadow puppet) in Central Indonesia has played a central role in Indonesian village life for hundreds of years. By the first century, puppet theatres were established in the royal courts with the first documentary evidence appearing in the 11th-13th century. Puppetry in Indonesia has evolved into a longstanding tradition of highly developed storytelling. The level of skill involved in making this wayang kulit is evidenced in the fine detail of the puppet's stylised clothing.
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Summary
Object Statement
Puppet (Wayang), parchment / bone, maker unknown, Indonesia, c. 1967-1971
Physical Description
Puppet, Wayang, parchment, maker unknown, Indonesia, [1967-1971] Flat shadow puppet cut from parchment, with long arms jointed with bone pins at the shoulders and elbows.
PRODUCTION
Notes
The wayang is a flat or round puppet used for shadow puppet shows in Java. The wayang kulit is the flat puppet and is made with buffalo or goat leather. A black light behind a white screen is used to project a shadow image (wayang kulit) of the puppet. Wayang is a Javanese word meaning 'shadow' or 'ghost'. A wayang kulit puppet is a stylised representation of the human form. Buffalo or goat hide is most commonly used in the making of the wayang puppet. The hide is scraped thin to ensure an even surface then cured to prevent warping of the parchment. High quality puppets have been made from parchment that has been cured for up to 10 years. Joints are secured using bone, metal, or bamboo studs and then fitted with horn or bamboo sticks for the dalang (puppeteer) to move. (Note: no sticks are attached to this wayang kulit.)
HISTORY
Notes
The wayang kulit shadow puppet was acquired by the donor outside Jakarta, probably Jogjakarta, during the donor's second stay in Indonesia. The donor worked for the Australian Trade Commission and had a number of postings in Asia including Indonesia in the late 1950s to 1960 and 1967-1971; Japan 1972-1974; Singapore 1975-1977; India end of 1977 to 1981 and China 1982-1985. He was accompanied by his wife.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Peter and Patricia Horne, 2007
Acquisition Date
13 April 2007
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