Authentic Old Handcarved & Painted Java Theater Wayang Golek Puppet Doll GK10,2

You are buying 1 wooden puppet, it is a choice of 3 dolls, vintage 30 yrs old male noblemen puppets, 2 of them, one with jewlery on his chest, and one of a female puppet in the middle, seen on all photos.

Ramayana Java Theater Puppet, Wayang Golek:

choice between: GK 10 or 11 or 12, between 2 male and one female (in the middle of the photos), the noblemen have white faces such as the tradition implies as they are royal and the female has a darker face tanned by the sun which indicates she is a common servant.

All characters from the ramayana epic tales.

They are being sold at a discounted price as we have very few puppets left for sale, 6 left only, all listed, and looking to close that inventory. These are older pieces in good condition, they were used in plays and are highly collectable.

You are buying 1 unique one of a kind piece, unless you want more, but the asking price is for 1: These hand carved, handpainted, entirely handcrafted Javanese traditional puppets are of characters from the amazing Ramayana tales, king and queen puppets called Rama & Sinta, from the Ramayana epics. Around 24” tall from top of head to end of stick or dress. Retails for $150.00 to 200.00 each for this quality and detail in stores we place them in.

Both are important center characters in the wayang golek plays of , Java. The Wayang Golek face and body are made of wood and they are dressed in traditional clothing. Each Wayang Golek puppet was individually hand carved and hand painted by the artist who created it, so each is unique and a collector item. Both are operational and in perfect condition. The Wayang has a strong tradition in the world of Java and , representing the struggle between good and evil.

The Wayang Golek are the three dimensional wooden puppets from Java. The Wayang Golek plays (these shows might be given to appease the gods, to offer thanks or ask protection for a harvest, or to exorcise evil spirits) continue to be performed at circumcision or wedding parties, or at other ceremonial events and usually start at dusk and run to the early morning hours attracting an adult audience of all social classes. People come and go as they please. The Wayang Golek puppet masters are called Dalangs. The plays are based on the Ramayana or Mahabharata stories. They usually involve Rama, Sinta, Anoman, Rahwana and Gotot Kaca. The main family of Wayang Golek are the five Pandawa brothers and their clown servants. The wayang golek performance becomes a social event around which there may be many stalls selling refreshments and other small items. The audience particularly enjoys the clown scenes, when much tomfoolery and satire take place. In Indonesia, many people are familiar with the different types of characters which can be recognized by the size, shape, color and angle of their eyes and nose and the way they walk, talk, sing, dance and fight.

Puppetry is a highly respected art form, and continues to thrive as a vibrant living tradition, offering a coded philosophy within which there is something for everyone, rich or poor, politician or artist alike. Wooden rod puppet characters were created in family workshops where they are chiseled, carved, painted & dressed in local costume. The master carver makes the head because it expresses the personality of the character. Puppets are divided in 3 parts: the head and neck are connected to a sharpened bamboo piece that goes thru the separate body, enabling the puppet to turn its head left and right. From the waist down a sarong type cloth is worn hiding the puppeteer's hand that holds the bamboo piece. The joints of the articulated arms are connected with a string enabling the puppet to move his upper limbs as well. The central support rod is attached to the base of the body where it is hidden by the clothing. The women make all the costumes.

We are closing our doors so everything has been reduced!

Check Dominique Rice Oceania Store in Sun Sentinel Newspaper, Fort Lauderdale, for information on our collection and authentic art.

If you have any questions, contact us or call for documents on pieces.

All our collector and rare items come with pages and pages of research about provenance, and with history of the tribes and photos as well, depending on item and whenever possible. When shipping internationally, we group ship multiple purchases to save you money, and find the best rates which often fails to calculate right. If you have any questions or want to see research conducted on this piece and photos of tribes, email or call us.

We have artifacts and architectural accents up to 10 ft tall that we will put on upon request because shipping has to be calculated accordingly with trucking company.