loro blonyo figuren - Sculpture - Indonesia

This beautiful pair of *loro blonyo*-figures is made from carved, light-colored wood and provided with polychrome painting. Such figures were used during wedding ceremonies in Central Java.

They represent Dewi Sri, the goddess of the rice harvest, and her consort Sadono. Dewi Sri is a deity who, through her association with rice and the rice harvest, is associated with fertility and prosperity. The figures originate in the pre-Islamic culture of Java and were later incorporated into the syncretic ritual practices of the Javanese population.

Traditionally, the figures were placed at the foot of the wedding bed with heaven (*krobongan*) to promote a prosperous marriage. This practice was initially reserved for royal and noble families, but later spread to other strata of society. (The clothing of the two figures is based on the ceremonial wedding attire of the *kraton* – the palace – of the royal court of Yogyakarta.)

After the wedding ceremony, the figures were removed and the bride and groom themselves took their place.

Both figures are depicted kneeling and wear batik-sarongs with typical Central Javanese patterns. Sadono wears a *blangkon* – a traditional Javanese head covering made from cloth – tightly drawn over the head.

Both figures are carved with slightly elongated arms, waists and fingers, reminiscent of the Javanese *wayang* puppets.