Featured in this lot is an Javanese Hand-Carved Wood Wayang Golek Polychrome Rod Puppet and stand, circa 1950s. Wayang is one of the traditional Sundanese puppet art from West Java, Indonesia. In contrast to the wayang art in other areas of Java island that use leather in the production of wayang, wayang golek is a wayang art made of wood. Wayang Golek is very popular in West Java, especially in the Pasundan land area. Wayang is renowned for its elaborate and orchestrated performance and this ancient form of storytelling originated from Indonesian island of Java. While these carefully handcrafted puppets vary in size, shape and style, two principal types prevail: the three-dimensional wooden puppet (wayang klitik or golèk) and the flat leather shadow puppet (wayang kulit) projected in front of a screen lit from behind. Amazingly detailed work of art, ornate, top heavy as the headdress is rather substantial. The Wayang Golek theatre puppets were brilliantly designed so that the costume changes were fast and simple. Indeed, the costumes were never removed from the body (wooden rod) of the puppet...the head was! Therefore a genuine Wayang Golek should always boast a removable head. The hand-embroidered details on the attire and hand painted face and headdress are simply impressive. Authentic antique painted stick rod puppet from Indonesia. Traditional cloth costume. Showing gentle signs of its old age, scuffing, scratches observed, no broken parts noted. Measures 23"H x 10"D x 7.5"W on wood stand approximately. Total weight 3lb, 4oz.