WAYANG KULIT
on IndoArtNet

Link to our Wayang Golek Rod Puppets.

Wayang Kulit is probably the most famous and imaginative form of Indonesian Wayang. Finely carved and painted thin leather puppets move behind a white linnen screen, such that the audience on the other side of the screen sees the shadows only.

Kulit means leather. Thick and specifically treated Water Buffalo leather is manually cut out, engraved, ciseled with amazing detail and finally hand-painted. Movable limbs are joined with leather bolts and even the handles are made from the long horns of the same Water Buffaloes.

We have the pleasure of displaying here a very exquisite collection of Wayang Kulit puppets on sale from a private collector. You may click on each picture to see more details of the craftsmanship. We are proud to be the exclusive merchant representing this set of almost 100 puppets. We show a small selection below, please enquire for more pictures and descriptions.

#0003 Werkudara (Giant) with shadow detail, 71cm, SOLD

#0013 Buta (Ogre, left), 58cm, US$130
#0015 Gathutkaca (Heavenly Heroe, right), 57.5cm, US$130

#0024 Betara Durga (God, left), 51.5cm, US$120
#0025 Betara Guru (Highest God, right), 51.5cm, US$120

#0028 Petruk (Clown, left), 50.5cm, SOLD
#0032 Anoman (King of the Apes, right), 50.5cm, US$120

#0037 Jagalabilawa (left), 48.5cm, US$115
#0041 Betara Nerada (God, right), 47.5cm, US$115

#0043 Betara Komajaya (God of Love, left), SOLD
#0045 Anoman (King of the Apes, right), 47cm, US$115

#0047 Citraksi (left), 46cm, US$110
#0053 Cakil (Demon, right), 46cm, US$110

#0057 Irawan (left), 44cm, SOLD
#0060 Togog (Evil Clown, right), 44cm, US$110

#0063 Samba (left), 43cm, SOLD
#0066 Angkawijaya (right), 41cm, US$110

#0069 Setyaboma (left), 38cm, SOLD
#0071 Gareng (Clown, right), 37.5cm, US$95

#0074 Semar (Clown, left), 37.5cm, SOLD
#0075 Cangik (Ugly Vain Woman,right), 37cm, US$95

#0077 Dewi Ratih (Goddess of Love, left), SOLD
#0079 Sembadra (Woman, right), 35.5cm, SOLD

#0081 Bagong (Evil Clown, left), 37.5cm, US$95
#0085 Pergiwa (Woman, right), 34.5cm, US$80

#0090 Dewi Dersanala (Woman, left), 34.5cm, SOLD
#0001 Dewaruci (Demon, right), 35.5cm, US$80

Unlike the many soulless, machine-cut and screen-printed Kulits from low-grade leather to be found on the souvenir market, we at IndoArtNet only sell the best available quality of material and workmanship. We have partnered with Pak Sagio, who is recognized by many as the best contemporary Wayang Kulit maker in Indonesia, if not the world. Pak Sagio counts among his customers many practising Dalangs (puppeteers) and even supplies the Istana Negeri (presidential palace) in Jakarta.

Therefore we can offer, in addition to any character from traditional epics, also custom-made designs (delivery time 4 to 6 weeks, please enquire) as well as rare puppets that are usually only made on demand, such as Gunungan (mountain/fire, a full performance sized Gunungan is 100cm/39" high and costs US$300), Rampogan (army/war scene, US$200) and lanscapes, trees or groups of characters.

In addition, we work with Agni, a young and very talented artist who makes non-traditional and exceptional Kulits with great creativity to customers' specifications. An example are the four puppets of mediaeval characters shown above, which were part of a set made for a pupetteer in Norway for US$120 each. If you would like to custom-order such puppets, please email us a drawing or picture and we will give you a quotation and delivery time estimate shortly.

On IndoArtNet, you can get everything you'll need for an authentic Wayang performance. We have a wide range of puppets, stages, screens, Wayang Orang (dance theatre) costumes and accessories and even the Gamelan instruments for the accompanying music. And if you want a real Dalang, you may contact us as well.