Shadow Puppets of Kedah

Pregnant Malay Princess in Sarong Kebaya

The puppet depicts the character of a wealthy female refined character. The face of the puppet is portrayed en face with delicate cutouts typical of the Wayang Gedek and Nang Talung puppetry tradition. The body of the puppet is depicted in profile. The shape of the puppet's abdomen suggests that this puppet was used to represent a pregnant character. The puppet wears the traditional Malay costume of a sarong and kebaya accessorized with two bangles, two prominent finger rings, and high heeled shoes. Her kebaya, or fitted blouse, is depicted as short-sleeved, skims the hips, and is tailored to fit the body, a style made popular by Malay films produced in Malaysia and Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s. The puppet is also portrayed with a bouffant hairstyle popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Note the long fingers and elongated fingernails symbols of both male and female refined characters. Nang Talung and ten incorporates modern characters and clothing styles into the design of its shadow puppets. Puppet iconography is also known to have been influenced by Western, Bollywood, and Malay film industries. This puppet depicts the clothing of a modern, fashionable Malay woman from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her hairstyle is consistent with this period and she does not wear a crown or headdress. This puppet could potentially play a princess or other refined female lead role. 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: 41.2 cm Width: 11 cm Width including extended articulated arm: 32.1 cm

Made in Southern Thailand

Acquisition date 1974, Kedah, Malaysia

black, red, green, and purple pigment

Goatskin, bamboo string