wayang golek (Rod Puppet)

Indonesian Golek three dimensional puppet from the Cirebon area, with Chinese influence in features and dress due to several centuries of Chinese immigration into the area. The puppet represents a grandfather.

Three dimensional wood and fabric puppet representing a grandfather. The head (part a) has a white painted face with finely carved and painted features, including wrinkles across the forehead and around the mouth. The mouth is open, showing 2 large teeth, and is surrounded by a moustache and beard. Ears and nose are protruding. The head is topped by a round black cap and hair is gathered at the back. The torso (part b) is covered with a long sleeved tunic and a yellow sarong, which covers a removable wooden stick (part c) that controls the movement of the head and connects the figure to its cork base (part d). The arms are moveable at shoulder and elbow by wooden sticks attached to each hand. Hands are painted red.