DepartmentAsia

Gunugan Gapuran

NameWayang kulit, shadow puppet

Maker Rasimin

Maker Enthus Susmono

CultureJavanese

Place madeTegal, Java, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

MediumWater Buffalo Hide, Ancur, Paint, Water Buffalo Horn, metal (gold or bronze) leaf

DimensionsOverall: 43 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (110 x 49.5 cm)

Credit LineIFAF Collection

Object numberFA.2007.38.1

Collections

Wayang Kuilt: Indonesian Shadow Puppets

DescriptionShadow puppet, Gunungan. Large, leaflike scene opener, one side shows a temple with various animals, the other side is a large red demon / dragon face. The temple is flanked by purple ogres, and a tiger, a buffalo and several other animals appear above.

Performer and Designer: Ki Enthus Susmono
Artist: Rasimin
Place and Date Made: Solo, 1992

Gunugan Gapuran is associated with the masculine lingam form, and typically features a place (home, palace, or mosque) with guardian figures and a tree of life.

The Tree of Life (Kayon) figure is also known as a Cosmic Mountain (Gunungan). The terms Kayon and Gunungan are used interchangeably. These mountain-shaped figures are used in every performance to begin and end the show, as well as for other purposes: to mark scene divisions; to represent the natural elements; natural storms; or extreme emotions. The gunungan/kayon may also represent a palace, home, forest, or other physical locations. Today, many performers choose to utilize several gunungan/kayon at one time to enhance the visual impact that these wayang figures can create.
These are the only wayang figures that are painted differently on each side. The front usually includes a tree of life with animals in its branches and it may portray guardian figures in front of a home, a palace, or a mosque, or it may depict a water motif (such as a pond). The back side of the shadow puppet usually portrays water and wind or fire elements, often with the face of a barong or mankara (a protective guardian figure that provides strength).