Wayang Golek, The Wooden Puppets from West Java.

The Wayang has a strong tradition in the world of Java and Indonesia, representing the struggle between good and evil.The two types of plays are the Wayang Kulit and the Wayang Golek.The Wayang Kulit are two dimensional leather puppets are often referred to as shadow puppets. These are more popular in the areas of Bali.The Wayang Golek are three dimensional wooden puppets and come from Java and the area of Bandung. The Wayang Golek plays usually start at dusk and run to the early morning hours.People come and go as they please.The Wayang Golek puppet master are called Dalang's .The plays are based on the Ramayana or Mahabharata stories. The Ramayana is usually involve Rama , Sinta , Anoman , and Rahwana The main family in the Mahabharata are the five Pandawa brothers and their clown servants.there are also many heros like Gatot Kaca and Srikandi. These puppets are on bases and stand from 24 " to over 48 ".
Each Wayang Golek puppet can be removed from the base and both the head and arms can be moved.These Wayang Golek puppets have very finely detailed carvings on the head and body, with vivid color and detailed paintings.The Wayang Golek body is beautifully decorated in beads and Batik. Some Wayang Golek puppets have wings carved of either leather or wood and are painted by hand.Each Wayang Golek puppet is individually carved by hand making each unique and a collectors item.These Wayang Golek are carved form wood and painted who make the puppets for dalang Asep Sunarya (puppet master) who performs worldwide. The artists use hair from cats to obtain the extremely fine details and lines.These are Indonesia and the world's finest