Shadow Puppets of Kedah

Princess in Baju Kurung Kedah and Hijab

The puppet depicts the character of a female refined character. The face of the puppet is portrayed while the body of the puppet is depicted in profile. The puppet wears the traditional Malay costume of a baju kurung Kedah with a headscarf, Her clothing is accessorized with earrings, two bangles and high heeled slippers. Note the long fingers and elongated fingernails symbols of both male and female refined characters. 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. Height: 41 cm, Width: 13.2 cm, Width including left arm extended: 30 cm

Made in Southern Thailand

Acquisition date 1974

black, red, green, and purple pigment

Goatskin, bamboo rods, fiber cording