Naughty Woman in Sarong Kebaya
Item
Title
Naughty Woman in Sarong Kebaya
Description
The puppet depicts the character of a wealthy female refined character. The face of the puppet is portrayed en face while the body of the puppet is depicted in profile. The puppet wears the traditional Malay costume of a sarong and kebaya accessorized with a necklace, earrings, and two bangles. Her kebaya, or fitted blouse, is depicted as short-sleeved, skims the hips, and is tailored to closely 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.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: 42,4cm Width: 9 cm Width including extended articulated arm: 46 cm
Attribution
Made in Southern Thailand
Date
Acquisition date 1974
Color
black, red, green, and purple pigment
Material
Goatskin, bamboo string