DepartmentAsia

Anoman Triwikrama

NameWayang kulit, shadow puppet

CultureJavanese

Date1994

Place madeWonogiri, Java, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

MediumWater buffalo hide, paint, water buffalo horn, bronze leaf, wood

DimensionsOverall: 41 5/16 x 19 11/16 in. (105 x 50 cm)

Credit LineIFAF Collection

Object numberFA.2007.40.1

Collections

Wayang Kuilt: Indonesian Shadow Puppets

DescriptionShadow puppet, male figure with white skin, fanged mouth and a halo of fiery orange hair on head and back. Long, clawlike thumbnails.

Performer: Ki Purbo Asmoro; also: Ki Arif Sarjono
Artist[s] unknown
Place and Date Made: Wonogiri, 1994

Certain wayang characters such as Anoman, have the ability to become physically larger versions of themselves and gain extraordinary powers through meditation or when overcome by extreme anger. Triwikrama refers to this ability. In one example, transformed into Anoman Triwikrama Anoman escapes from being burned at the stake and sets fire to the Kingdom of Alengka in the lakon, "Anoman Dhuta [Anoman Serves as Messenger], from the Ramayana (the only lakon in which Anomon Triwikrama appears). Here, the Anoman figure has hair of fire and his size is larger than when he is in a normal mood.