Sojourner Antiques: A Rare Wayang Golek on Steed

Wednesday 27 June 2012

A Rare Wayang Golek on Steed

A Rare Wayang Golek en-suite on Steed
previously from the court collection of Mangkunegara VII and acquired as a set from West Java at the end of the 1800s
identified by label as "Arimba", the ogre brother to Arimbi, one of the wives of Bima
91 cm high and horse is 38 cm (at shoulder) x 58 cm (tall at head) and 59 cm long.
Original natural pigments, gilt, horsehair, metal studs, leather assessories and cloth.

One of the largest old Golek Puppets made at the order of Mangkunegara VII at the turn of the 19th century who was a patron of the arts and collected a great deal of native arts around Indonesia.

The original collection label marked "No. 69, Arimba" in cursive Latin is inscribed by the court collection; and in Hindu Mythology, Arimba was the leader of the asura demons. On Java, he is known as the Demon King of Pringgadani and whose sister was given over to the second of the Pandewa brothers, Bima.