A FINE BLENCONG

Wayang oil lamp Garuda
Brass lamp (blencong) in the form of a Garuda. Probably late 19th century. Java, Indonesia. The head, wings and tail are separate pieces held together by nuts and bolts. The lamp was used in wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances. It burned coconut oil and was suspended over the puppeteer's head behind the screen on which the puppets' shadows were projected. The Garuda, a common form for older blencong, is the mythical bird-vehicle of the Hindu god Vishnu. Hinduism was influential in western Indonesia between the 1st and 14th centuries AD.

Gresik, east Java, Indonesia. Early 20th century, Bras, 40 x 36 cm

Price:  on request