{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O102317"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O102317/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LV9032/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LV9032/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019LV9032","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O102317","accessionNumber":"S.604-2001","objectType":"Shadow puppet","titles":[{"title":"Dewa Ruci shadow puppet","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This shadow puppet of the character Dewa Ruci was made for the <i>Wayang Kulit</i> Javanese shadow puppet theatre, probably in the late 19th or early 20th entury. <i>Wayang Kulit</i> means 'Puppet of leather'.\r\n\r\nDewa Ruci ('the Divine Subtle one') is the embodiment of the spirit which guides the body and soul of the seeker Wêrkudara to an understanding of the Perfection of Life and Mystic Union with the Divine. It comes from the story <i>Sêrat Cabolek</i> (The Book of Cabolek), thought to have been written by Raden Ngabehi Yasadipura I, the pioneer of modern Javanese verse, who died in 1729. There are many versions of the story which became a popular shadow theatre play, often performed under the name <i>Bima Suci</i> (The Holy Wêrkudara).  Dewa Ruci is The Holy Wêrkudara, since after his enlightenment he changed his name to Bima.","physicalDescription":"Shadow puppet made in 5 sections, of pierced and painted hide.  The head and torso section depicts a grimacing character (Dewa Ruci) with pierced, curled black hair, black face and red painted features.  The body section is painted gold with gold breeches with a black, white and red loin cloth.  Each arm is painted gold and is in two sections, joined at the elbow and each attached to the body at the shoulder and to a rod at its hands.  The central supporting rod runs straight up behind one leg and is shaped in a serpentine curve to fit the shape of the puppet.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"Leather","id":"AAT11845"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Painted","id":"x30138"},{"text":"Gilded","id":"AAT53789"},{"text":"Pierced","id":"AAT231153"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Painted and gilded  hide with wooden rods","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Puppetry","id":"THES266219"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2019LV9032"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES355810"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Puppet","id":""}],[{"text":"Shadow puppet","id":""}],[{"text":"Rod puppet","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Java","id":"x30310"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"late 19th century - early 20th century","earliest":"1850-01-01","latest":"1950-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"39.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"57.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"The puppet is an irregular shape, cut to appear as the silhouette of a male figure.  The measurement is taken from his feet to the highest point of his headdress, and from one extended hand to the other.","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"Wayang Kulit shadow performances are strongly ritualistic, and the puppets themselves are attributed with magical powers.  The shows are performed behind lit screens with the puppeteer or <i>dalang</i> operating the puppets, to the accompaniment of an orchestra, or gamelan.\r\n\r\nEarly plays were inspired by stories in Hindu epics such as The Mahabharata and The Ramayana, but after the late 15th century, Islamic and Arabic sources were incorporated into the repertoire.  The good characters are recognisable by their elongated features and pointed noses, whilst the evil characters have round eyes, bulbous noses and protruding teeth.  Even today Javanese puppet shows are imbued with mystical associations and often form part of marriage, birth and thanksgiving ceremonies.","briefDescription":"Shadow puppet of Dewa Ruci from the <i>Sêrat Cabolek</i> (The Book of Cabolek). Pierced and painted hide. Javanese, late 19th or early 20th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Reason For Production: Retail","productionType":{"text":"Unique","id":"THES48864"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[{"text":"Wayang Kulit","id":"V45"}],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.604-2001"],"accessionNumberNum":"604","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2001,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild number","id":"THES50295"},"number":"P.201"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-13","recordCreationDate":"2004-08-10","availableToBook":true}}