Wayang Golek Indonesian Rod Puppet RAMA 1994 Merck Jakarta - Boxed, Never Used
Description
Vintage Indonesian wayang golek rod puppet depicting Rama, hero of the Ramayana, in original box with original instruction sheet. Never used, only assembled for these photographs, tags still attached.
Wayang golek are the three-dimensional carved and costumed rod puppets of West Java, distinct from the flat leather shadow puppets of wayang kulit. They are worked from below by a central rod through the body and two thin rods attached to the hands.
This example has a carved and lacquered wooden head with a refined white face, fine hand painted line detail, red lips and black carved side hair, beneath a tall gilded crown in gold and deep maroon. The arms are turned wood painted gold, articulated at shoulder and elbow with cord, and detailed with lilac and maroon painted armlets and bracelets. The costume is purple velvet worked with heavy gold bugle bead and seed bead embroidery, coloured sequins, gold braid trim and purple satin sash ribbons, over a batik sarong in purple, gold, red and blue. The puppet mounts on a turned wooden base and comes with both black control rods.
The provenance is what sets this one apart. The wooden base carries its original printed label reading "With compliments from P.T. Merck Indonesia — REGIONAL PRODUCTION MEETING — Jakarta, November 19-22, 1994". This was a corporate gift presented to delegates at a Merck Indonesia conference in Jakarta in November 1994, which dates the piece exactly rather than by estimate.
Also included is the original folded instruction sheet showing how to assemble the puppet, printed MADE IN INDONESIA and marked Souvenir Shop, Jl. Cihampelas 39, Bandung 40116, Indonesia. Cihampelas is the well known craft street in Bandung, the traditional centre of wayang golek carving.
Condition is excellent and consistent with never having been used. The paintwork is bright with no chips noted, the beadwork is intact, and the fabric is clean. It has been in storage. The original box is card covered in batik printed paper with "RAMA" handwritten on the label, and shows age related wear with scuffing, corner bumping and some paper loss, as pictured.
Puppet 243g. Box 93g. Total 336g. Height approximately 43cm to the tip of the crown.
Please study all photos carefully as they form part of the description. Happy to answer any questions.
You’re welcome to make an offer on this item.
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Packaging All fragile items are carefully packed for safe delivery using recycled materials where possible. Comes from a smoke-free home.
Before You Buy Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the item description. Colours may vary slightly due to screen settings — we do our best to represent items accurately but an exact colour match cannot be guaranteed.