Early 20th C. Indonesian Painted Wood Puppet Head- Lot 312, Auction 8/27/2018
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Early 20th C. Indonesian Painted Wood Puppet Head- Lot 312, Auction 8/27/2018

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Southeast Asia, Indonesia, north coast of Java, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden puppet head from the Wayang Golek, an Indonesian practice involving rod puppets with carved heads and dramatic clothing. This figure is one of the “semi-refined characters” with an upright head presenting a dramatic visage on a citrine yellow complexion, comprised of large eyes with jet black brows – with red highlights in the whites of his eyes, between his brows, and on his ears, a pronounced nose, red mustachioed lips, and a wonderful carved asymmetrical turban of red, yellow, and blue strips on a black ground. The semi-refined characters move in quick, measured steps and speak directly in high-pitched voices; they are prone to rash action. This one may represent the god Krishna in performances of the Mahabharata. Block stand. Size: 9.5″ H (24.1 cm); 13″ H (33 cm) on included custom stand.

Condition: Age cracks on back side of head/neck and front of neck. Surface wear and pigment losses as shown, but the visage is quite vivid.

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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