This rare and early collectors’ Indonesian Legong Dancing Doll is a beautiful antique original from Southeast Asia. The dolls are manipulated by puppeteers, who use their hands and feet to move the dolls’ arms and legs. The dolls are believed to have originated in the 18th century, and they were originally used in religious ceremonies. However, they soon became popular as a form of entertainment, today they are now performed all over Indonesia. The dolls are often used in performances that tell stories from traditional Indonesian mythology. The doll is made of a hand carved wooden body with it’s original fabric dress. The dress displays exquisite detailing that showcase the rich culture of the region. The doll is clearly not a tourist souvenir as are those that are sometimes offered for sale, this one is an original and authentic piece that represents the rich heritage of Indonesia. I guess the item to date to around 1900, perhaps a bit earlier. The doll shows some signs of expected wear and tear, the dress being a little’grubby looking’ The sticks are currently separate, removed to display the doll. They could however easily be tied back on to the hands where they were originally. The head can be rotated and removed as shown within the images. The doll stands at around 68cm somewhat larger than the later tourist ones that are generally around 30cm.
