W398xH380mm, Cambodia
This is a Nang Sbek Toch shadow puppet, the smaller of the 2 types of shadow puppet in Cambodia.
Nang Sbek Toch means “theatre of small hides”, these puppets are made out of cow hides which is cleaned, treated, tanned before it is ready for use. A paper template is designed, portion of the hides is then cut out for use; patterns of lines are chiseled out enhance the feature of the puppet. Outline of the puppet are then stained for appearance of the puppet itself, as unlike the Chinese shadow puppet that are thin and translucent, the colouring of the Cambodian puppet will not have an impact on the shadow itself.
(you might want to switch off the sound for this video)
Here is a beautiful photo documentation.
See our other shadow puppets.
Mountain Folkcraft 