Vintage Javanese Theater Royal Puppet Couple: Rama & Sinta, Created by Master Artist Carver & Painter, Clothed in Hand Made Batik Costume (Wooden Wayang Golek or Puppet Dolls Collectibles) Yogyakarta, late 1900’s, Indonesia.

These are the last 2 puppets I have left pertaining to the Ramayana famous lovers, Rama & Sinta: wooden handmade, hand carved, hand painted by excellent puppet crafts-master, and dressed in handmade traditional batik court costumes with a filigree chest brooch on each vest. They are so beautiful I had saved them for our collection but cannot keep everything and decided to sadly part with them. Each 21" tall.

They are vintage Wayang Golek collectibles but in great condition, collected in the late 1900’s, please inspect carefully to be satisfied since photos tell better than words.

Once used in javanese village plays recounting the Ramayana epic tales. 

Entirely handcrafted, these perfect traditional puppets can be bought together or separately. But I prefer to sell them as a couple since they were purposely wearing matching clothes. They both have white faces relating to royalty and the bride Sinta is wearing a pair of earrings also. Indonesians of high rank used to hand paint their faces with a rice powder mixture to make it white.

These 2 pieces are important center characters in the wayang golek plays of Java. The Wayang Golek faces and bodies are made of hand sculpted wood and they are dressed in traditional noble court attire.

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 great shape.

The Wayang plays have a strong tradition in the world of Java, representing the constant struggle between good and evil.

The Wayang Golek are the three dimensional wooden puppets from Java, as opposed to the wayang kulit or shadow puppet, handmade of leather.

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 in Indonesia, 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 batik costumes.

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 available. If you have any questions or want to see research conducted on this piece, let us know.