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Batara Guru. Jogjakarta Style.
1970216158Indonesia. Before1970s. Water buffalo hide and pigment elaborately gilt and cut out 54 x 69 cms painted both sides jointed arms each affixed to horn batons and another spliced horn baton holds the body. This puppet represents the dewa Bathara Guru in the Javanese and Balinese 'wayang kulit' or leather shadow puppet theatre tradition. Batara Guru is the Indonesian embodiment of the Hindu deity Shiva and perhaps the most sacred of Indonesian shadow puppets. A dalang puppeteer must make offerings to Guru the supreme god creator and ruler of earth who stands at the origin point of humankind before commencing a shadow play performance. Batara Guru also known as Sang Hyang Manikmaya is conceived of as the younger brother of Semar. The figure is generally shown in meditative repose standing upon his mount the bull. He is viewed as a spiritual teacher and guide directing lesser deities and humans in their earthly endeavors. <br> <br>This particularly fine example is elaborately carved with gilt and rides on the mythical bull Nandini. Bathara Guru the Javanese name for the deity Shiva symbolized the imperfection of man represented in the bodily defects of the puppet: four arms small feet marks on the throat and often though not here depicted with fangs. <br> <br>Purchased in Java in the early 1970s. <br> <br>See: Joko Susilo Eisler Shadow-Puppet Collection Catalogue Bates College Lewiston Maine . hardcover
Asia Bookroom · Australie850,00 $AU≈ 560,24 €
