Reusi Holding a Vessel and Stick with Fish

Title: Reusi Holding a Vessel and Stick with Fish
Description: Hermit portrayed in profile wearing a simple sarong. The hermit is depicted wearing phallic-shaped amulet and a hermit's headdress. The hermit has a large round abdomen and prominent umbilical hernia. In one hand he carries a stick with two skewered fish. In his other hand he holds a vessel. The hermit is barefoot and part of one of his feet is missing, possibly chewed away by animals. Both arms of the puppet are articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arms are manipulated by a puppeteer via bamboo rods 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 puppet also features a hinged and articulated jaw with a bamboo hinge which can be moved via a fiber cord in order to enable the puppet to appear to speak. The skin of the puppet has been dyed with black pigment while its clothing and accessories are brightly colored translucent greens and reds. Dimensions: Height: 61.5 cm Width: 11 cm Width including extended articulated arms: 49 cm
Attribution: Made in Southern Thailand
Date: Acquisition date 1974
Character: Reusi
Color: black, red, and green pigment
Material: Goatskin, bamboo rods, fiber cording, black, red, and green pigment