Indonesian (Javanese) Wayang Puppet "Dasamuka"

Published by Java, 1900

  • Art / Print / Poster
  • Used
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Seller: White Fox Rare Books and Antiques, ABAA/ILAB, New York, NY, U.S.A.White Fox Rare Books and Antiques, ABAA/ILAB

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AbeBooks seller since June 4, 2009

Association member: ABAAESAPBFAILAB

Condition: Used - Very good

£ 442.88

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Item description from seller

This is particularly fine Wayang puppet, "Dasamuka", the demon king Ravana from the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The puppet is entirely made by hand. We do not claim to possess the expertise to date this specimen of Folk Art with great precision. It could be nineteenth century or early 20th century, and thus we arbitrarily give it a date of 1900. It is unquestionably superior to the chaff produced in more recent decades as commercialism has corrupted the practice of traditional Folk Art. The puppet is large. The figure itself, not including the long wooden support and handle, and with the free arm fully retracted -- closest to the body, it is 64 cm tall and 34 cm wide at its widest. If we measure the height from the bottom of the wood handle to the very top, the height is about 89 cm tall. The puppet would have been a character in Wayang Kulit performances, which used two dimensional puppets made of leather, as opposed to another traditional type that had three dimensional puppets made of wood. The puppets were manipulated behind a screen, with the audience watching the puppets' shadows. This might be surprising given how our puppet is so meticulously painted. WIthin the Indonesian archipelago Wayang Kulit hailed from Java, The puppet shows, to the accompaniment of gamelan music, dramatized scenes from mythology and Hindu epics. Going back centuries, they were put on at all kinds of events, including religious rituals, and later, as you would guess, they were mounted for the tourist trade. Our Dasamuka may well have also been made specifically for the tourist market. That said, the intricate cutting and painted detail, the two integrated into one another, are impressive -- this is not souvenir kitsch. In terms of conditiion, the leather is warped here and there, the paint sometimes flecked, soiled, etc., but not significantly. The primary rod at its base in attractively turned and has a pretty patina.…

Seller Inventory # 20023

Bibliographic details

Title
Indonesian (Javanese) Wayang Puppet "Dasamuka"
Publisher
Java
Publication year
1900
Condition
Very Good
Seller catalogs
Asian Interest, Folk Art, Theater, Toys

White Fox Rare Books and Antiques, ABAA/ILAB

New York, NY, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 4, 2009

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Store description

Antiquarian books of all kinds, with emphases on color plate books, decorative arts, foreign literature (German, French, Italian, Spanish), children's literature, philosophy, sporting (equine, hunting, shooting).

Specialty

Color plate books (19th century), Sporting, Philosophy, Children's literature, Other foreign literature, French literature, Italian literature, German literature, Decorative arts

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  • Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
  • The Ephemera Society of America
  • Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association
  • International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

White Fox Rare Books and Antiques

974 Cemetery Road
West Windsor, VT U.S.A. 05089