Shadow puppet of a horse (Sbek Poa)

Object Details

• Label

  Called Sbek Poa or Sbek Por (Sbek: leather; Poa/Por: color), Cambodian shadow puppets are rare and their original performance contexts are not well known. Shadow puppet performance traditions are much more prominent in Indonesia, where they have been used in contexts ranging from village to court settings.

  This puppet represents a horse.

• Provenance

  From at least 1983-1989

  Joyce and Kenneth X. Robbins, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1989

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Joyce and Kenneth X. Robbins [2]

  Notes:

  [1] Known to have been in the collection of Kenneth X. Robbins in 1983. See Kenneth X. Robbins, “Indo-Asian Shadow Figures” in “Arts of Asia,” vol. 13, no. 5 (September-October 1983), p. 73 (illustrated). In the article, the object is published with the caption “Collection: Kenneth X. Robbins.” See also offer letter from Kenneth X. Robbins to Milo Beach on “Kenneth X. Robbins, M. D., LTD.” letterhead, dated December 4, 1989, copy in object file.

  Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins, psychiatrist, M.D., and Joyce Robbins of Potomac, Maryland are collectors of South Asian art and objects related to the history of Africans in the greater Indian Ocean world and the Jewish diaspora in India and beyond. Dr. Robbins has also authored several books, articles, and lectures. Works from their collection may also be found at The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, DC and the Brooklyn Museum, NY.

  [2] See Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, dated December 21, 1989, original in object file.

  Research Completed October 26, 2022

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins

  Joyce Robbins

• Origin

  Cambodia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Joyce and Kenneth X. Robbins

• Type

  Toy and Entertainment

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1800s, 1900s

• Name

  Robbins, Kenneth X., Robbins, Joyce

• Place

  Cambodia

• Topic

  Art, Amusements, Animals, Puppets, Horses, Southeast Asian Art, Skin

• Culture

  Southeast Asians

• Object Type

  Toys (recreational artifacts)