Buddhist Monk in Robes with Staff

Buddhist Monk in Robes with Staff

The puppet depicts a male Buddhist monk wearing red and green trimmed robes carrying a staff. The face of the puppet is portrayed en face with while the body of the puppet is depicted in profile. The puppet is bald, barefoot, and is depicted with a bent stature reminiscent of that of the Reusi character. One arm of the puppet is articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arm is manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. The leather is thin and translucent goatskin. The puppet has been dyed with vivid colors of pigment that permeate the leather and allow the bright colors of the clothing of the puppet to project through the shadow screen and provide a colorized shadow. Dimensions: Height: 43.4 cm Width: 13.5 cm Width including extended articulated arm: 34.4 cm

Made in Southern Thailand

Acquisition date 1974, Kedah, Malaysia

Black, red, green, and purple pigment

Goatskin, bamboo rods, fiber cording, black, red, green, and purple pigment