W140xH170mm, Indonesia
This is a mask used for the Kecak trance dance in Bali, it is also know as the monkey chant. The chant is performed by 150 men during which the Ramayana epic will be performed by masked dances. In the Ramayana legend, the monkey king Vanara helped Rama to save his wife Sita from the demon Ravana.
For our other monkey mask, check out previous entry:
Monkey Topeng, Korean Monkey Mask, Monkey Mask.
W300xH450mm, China
This glove puppet character is called Di Lei, within the show (opera) he belongs to Jing (painted face) category. Di Lei, is courageous fighter but lacking in tactics, he is one of the 4 hammer warriors of the famous Sung general Yue Fei. With extraordinary strength, he is known as the iron hammer warrior.
The head of the puppet (as well as its eyes and mouth) is controlled with the index finger, while the thumb would control one arm and the rest of the 3 fingers control the other arm. The thumb will also control the turn of the head while palm of the hand will control the waist and leg gestures. As the puppet is manipulated with one hand, one puppet master can have 2 puppets on the show at the same time.
W40xD20xH50mm, China
This is another type of bird feeder, a slight cruel one. A live cricket or insect treat is put inside the cage which is then attached to the side of the bamboo bird cage, the gate is opened from the outside and here comes “dinner”! The detail by the gate is for the attachment of the bamboo bar of the bird cage.
Click here for a more traditional bird feeder.
W100xD100xH200mm, China
Today, the 8th day of lunar April, is the birthday of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). According to the legend, on the night when Siddhartha was conceive, his mother Queen Maya has a dream. In her dream there was a white elephant with 6 tusks holding a lotus flower went circling around her 3 times and then entered her right side. The next morning Queen Maya told King Suddhodana the story and the King summoned the wise men to decipher the dream. It was predicted that the child would become a great king or a Buddha (the enlighten one).
This is a wooden figurine of the Buddha, the third eye (spiritual awakening) of the Buddha is represented by the inlay of a tiny pearl.
If you happens to be in Hong Kong click here and join in the celebration.
W80xH180mm, Sumatra, Indonesia
Apology for yesterday’s misinformation, this is actually the stopper of the guri guri potion container, a container of magic for the Batak tribe.
The magical potion is known as guri guri, used by the datu to perform good as well as magic with evil intention. The guri guri is one of the most sacred object of the datu. The figurine is a human riding on singa. Singa is a mythological creature that is benevolent and powerful, it is described to be part human, part buffalo, part crocodile.
W150xH170mm, Indonesia
This is Penthul, friend of Tembem. They are masks for the Jathilan folk dance, a Javanese hobby horse trance dance for exorcising evil spirits showing a battle between good and evil. Jathilan dance is performed to celebrate harvest, weddings; originally it was a rite of passage to adulthood, the child whole mimic riding a horse and crossing over to become an adult.
Penthul and Tembem appears in the first act of the dance, they are the princes from the Kediri Kingdom who were faced by the forest spirits who attacked theirs soldier sending them into a trance.
L130xW50xH150mm, China
This is not a figurine on a merry go round but in fact a warrior at war. The themes of golden lacquered wood carving are usually based on stories in Chinese operas. This figurine is most probably from a decorative wall hangers depicting the fighting scene.
W100xH240mm, The Philippines
The holy week (Mahál na Araw) is an important religious festival in the Philippines. The week starts from Palm Sunday (Linggo ng Palaspás), commemorating Jesus arriving Jerusalem where he begin his journey to the cross. On Maundy Thursday (Huwebes Santo), the start of the Triduum, shops and business will be closed until Black Saturday, local radio and tv station will either be off air out of respect or broadcast only religious programs. On Maundy Thursday the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be attended; however for the faithfuls who observed the Visita Iglesia, beginning in the morning 7 churches will be visited. On Good Friday (Biyernes Santo) there will be street processions; the Way of the Cross commemorating Jesus’ last words and the passion play Senákulo, where the faithful men will portray the passion of Jesus Christ, his trial, suffering and his death. As an expression of penance some devotees will self flagellate and some will even be nailed to the cross. This is followed by chantings of pabasa (the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ). Near the evening dead images of Jesus will be parade in the funeral procession (Prusisyon ng Sto. Entierro). On Holy Saturday (Sabado de Gloria), a day of silence and solem, at the end of the day the mass of Easter Vigil will make the first celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday(Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) is a joyful day of celebrations, life size status of the resurrected Christ and Virgin Mary will be paraded and brought to the first of the churches, it is followed by the Easter Mass.
L160xW160mm, Indonesia
This is the topeng mask for the character Tembem, a friend of Penthul. Tembem and Penthul are characters used in the traditional Javanese dancing depicting warriors practising their fighting skills. Their are a pair of comics, Penthul with a white face supports the warriors for them to keep a strong spirit. Tembem, on the other hand, is the sad figure. On his black face with the white painted tears on his eyes and nose, the crying Tembem represents the supporters who lost the fight.
W20xH120mm, China
Guan Shi Yin (Avalokiteśvara) is a bohisattva who embodies the compassion of all buddhas, the Chinese name also suggests the observation of the mankind. In the Tong dynasty, the proud emperor Li Shi Min forbidden the use words “Shi” and “Man” in all text and that unfortunately included religion as well. The name was shortened to now more common shorten version Guan Yin. The dates for Guan Yin festivals are lunar 19th Feburary (birthday), lunar 19th June (enlightened), lunar 19th September (Bodhisattvahood).
Mountain Folkcraft 