PUPPETS FROM JAVA AND UZBEKISTAN
The leather shadow puppets are the most sacred and as far as I know are used exclusively for performing legends from the Hindu epics: The Mahabarata Epic and The Ramyana Tale. You may be surprised that stories from Hindu epics are performed in Java as Java is known as a predominately Islamic culture. However, both Hinduism and Buddhism predate Islam in Java. As Java had a very highly developed culture at the time of the Islamic invasion in the 16th century, older religious beliefs were not completely eradicated. At the present there are 2 types of Muslims: the Santri Muslims who have strict Islamic beliefs, and the Abangan Muslims who practise a syncretistic religion which includes Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The Abangan Muslims are the most numerous and as a group hold the most political power. I do have some leather shadow puppets for sale, but because they are leather, they tend to curl somewhat if not held down flat. However, I do have some leather puppets for sale and if you are particularly interested in them, contact me and I will send you some pictures and details.
I have found the wayang golek to be the most popular with customers as they look like statues. Many wayang golek do not have the features of the Hindu epic characters, so I assume that they are used mainly for historical plays. All the puppets are hand carved and hand painted. It’s interesting to note that the men wear hats whereas the women do not wear hats. Usually people purchase stands for their puppets, but it is not necessary as their sticks can be put in large empty bottles filled partly with sand to stabilize them.
The flat wooden puppets are made both as Hindu epic characters and traditionally dressed Javanese people. They are carved and painted on both sides. In this case it is necessary to purchase a nicely finish puppet stand.
Because of the erratic pricing of shipping costs, it’s more practical to buy a puppet and stand at the same time.
All Prices are in Canadian Dollars
These wayang golek puppets are a marriage couple. Marriage couples are a very popular subject for traditional arts and crafts in Java.
Product #147
Size: [22½ x 5 in.] man
$39 + Shipping $21 = $60
Product #148
Size: [22 x 5 in.] woman
$39 + Shipping $21 = $60
Product #149
Size: [4 x 3 in.] stands [each]
$4.50 + Shipping $17 = $21.50
Product #147B
Size: puppet (147) and stand
$43.50 + Shipping $23 = $46.50
Product #148B
Size: puppet (148) and stand
$43.50 + Shipping $23 = $46.50
These are Hindu epic characters. The one on the left is a nobler character than the one on the right shown by its light skin and small almond shaped eyes. The fact that he is looking down shows that he is modest which is considered to be a very good quality by the Javanese.
Product #150
Size: [26 x 7 in.] puppet on left, light coloured face
$55 + Shipping $24 = $79
Product #151
Size: [26 x 7 in.] puppet with green face, large round eyes
$55 + Shipping $24 = $79
Product #152
Size: [4 x 3 in.] stands [each]
$4.50 + Shipping $17 = $21.50
Product #150B
Size: puppet and stand
$59.50 + Shipping $27 = $86.50
Product #151B
Size: puppet and stand
$59.50 + Shipping $27 = $86.50
Both these puppets are men, and are from Java. The one on the right with the elaborate headdress is probably a character from one of the Hindu epics.
Product #159
Size: [19 ½ x 4 1/2 in.] man with purple rounded hat
$39 + Shipping $20 = $59
Product #160
Size: [19 ½ x 4 1/2 in.] man with elaborate blue headdress
$39 + Shipping $20 = $59
Product #161
Size: [3 ½ x 2 in.] stands [each]
$4 + Shipping $17 = $21
Product #159B
Size: puppet and stand
$43 + Shipping $23 = $66
Both these puppets are from Java and are a marriage couple.
Product #162
Size: [21 x 5 in.] man with red hat
$39 + Shipping $21 = $60
Product #163
Size: [20 x 5 in.] woman
$39 + Shipping $21 = $60
Product #164
Size: [3 ½ x 2 in.] stands [each]
$4 + Shipping $17 = $21
Product #162B
Size: puppet and stand
$43 + Shipping $24 = $67
Product #163B
Size: puppet and stand
$43 + Shipping $24 = $67
Another marriage couple from Java.
Product #165
Size: [17 x 5 in.] man with green hat
$34 + Shipping $20 = $54
Product #166
Size: [15 x 4 ½ in.] woman
$32 + Shipping $20 = $52
Product #167
Size: [3 ½ x 2 in.] stands [each]
$4 + Shipping $17 = $21
Product #167A
Size: puppet and stand – man
$38 + Shipping $22 = $60
Product #167B
Size: puppet and stand – woman
$36 + Shipping $22 = $58
Comic character puppets are very popular in Javanese plays. I have quite a number of them. You may find these 2 amusing. If they appeal to you, I would be glad to send pictures to you of some of the others.
Product #168
Size: [18 ½ x 5 in.] man
$49 + Shipping $24 = $73
Product #169
Size: [17 ½ x 5 in.] woman
$49 + Shipping $24 = $73
Product #170
Size: [4 x 3 in.] stands [each]
$4.50 + Shipping $17 = $21.50
Product #168B
Size: puppet and stand
$53.50 + Shipping $27 = $80.50
Product #169B
Size: puppet and stand
$53.50 + Shipping $27 = $80.50
Flat wooden Javanese puppets [wayang kelitik] are carved and painted on both sides. Both these puppets are men. Note that the puppet on the right is wearing a traditional Muslim hat. These puppets are sold, but I have the same puppets painted slightly different colours.
Product #171
Size: [20 x 5 in.] man with green jacket
$35 + Shipping $22 = $57
Product #172
Size: [20 ½ x 6 in.] man with black jacket
$35 + Shipping $22 = $57
Product #173
Size: [5 x 3 ½ in.] stands [each]
$5.50 + Shipping $17 = $22.50
Product #171B
Size: puppet and stand
$40 + Shipping $25 = $65
Product #172B
Size: puppet and stand
$40 + Shipping $25 = $65
Both of these Javanese wooden puppets are hand carved on both sides and are painted. They are probably used for historical plays. Note that the man on the left is wearing a traditional Javanese man’s hat. It’s interesting to observe in both Bali and Java men wear hats for formal and religious occasions and women do not.
These puppets are sold, but I have the same puppets painted slightly different colours.
Product #174
Size: [19 ½ x 5 ¼ in.] The puppet I still have has a black jacket.
$35 + Shipping $22 = $57
Product #175
Size: [19 ½ x 5 ¼ in.] The puppet I have now has a green hat.
$35 + Shipping $22 = $57
Product #176
Size: [5 x 3 ½ in.] stands [each]
$5.50 + Shipping $17 = $22.50
Product #174B
Size: puppet and stand
$40 + Shipping $25 = $65
Product #175B
Size: puppet and stand
$40 + Shipping $25 = $65