Shadow Puppet
Thai Shadow puppet. Made of parchment. Colors; red, green, black. Male figure. Bamboo stick in free hand and sword in stationary hand. . Made of parchment. Colors; red, green, black. Male figures with sword in one hand. Mounted on a bamboo stick. Female Figure, long fingernails painted red, bamboo stick in free hand
- Object: Shadow Puppet
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 26" high 10" wide
- Culture Area: Southeast Asia / Thailand
- Cultural Group: Thailand
- Cultural Context: “Nang Yai” (shadow play/shadow puppetry) is one of Thailand’s traditional dramatic art forms that combines a number of different artistic crafts into one. This ancient art form was very popular during the reign of King U-Thong (1360-1369) and is still used today for storytelling and entertainment. All forms of puppet theatre have retained ritual elements, such as the initial prayers and offerings to the puppets. The story is narrated by songs, chants and music, and are based on Buddhist philosophy and ideology, but the Nang also incorporate many Hindu characters and iconography. Nang Yai Puppets are made from painted cow hide parchment. The museum’s puppets were acquired by donation in 1983.
- Donor: Bafton, Nancy
- Catalog #: 83.012