Scale model of a gamelan orchestra

Southeast Asian Collection

Accession Nr.: 53.197.1-35
Type: puppetry and shadow play; toys and models; carving; miniature; music
Date of production:
second half of the 19th century
Place of production:
Materials/Techniques: wood, carved, painted
Dimensions: maximum height: 15, 5 cm
maximum width:: 16 cm
maximum length:: 17, 3 cm
A wooden gamelan orchestra of tiny musician and dancer figures and miniature instruments. Gamelan music is one of the most distinctive products of Indonesian culture, and of Javanese culture in general. It is an integral part of dance performances, as well as all forms of performing arts, collectively referred to as 'wayang'. One of the most notable of these is the shadow play known as wayang kulit, which often lasts nine hours and is accompanied by musicians playing essentially percussion instruments. In addition to the variety of distinctively Javanese metallophones (metal percussion instruments) and musicians dressed in Javanese costumes, this set also includes two topeng (masked) dancer.