Rod Library

Displaying 1 - 8 of 8
Catalog # Name Description
1 00.4.13.527.0005 Fossil Fossil fish.
2 00.7.72 Kit, teaching Exhibit box 26. The manufacture of paper. Color: BR,BK,CL 00.7.72 (Kit, teaching) image
3 1993.24.0217 Card, report For Frances Barck, Dist. No. 9, Bennington Township, 7th Grade, Esther Tippey, Teacher. Inside gives number grade for each of 9 periods for Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic, Language or Grammar, Geography, Physiology, U. S. History, Iowa History, Penmanship, Music, Citizenship, Physical Training, Drawing, General Average. Each subject is averaged at the end of the year. Also gives data on days taught, Days Att'dnce, Days Absent, Times Tardy and an X to indicate performance on Attitude to School work, Recitations, Conduct and Physical Condition. Signed on the back 8 times "Mrs. H. F. Barck." Color: BK,CR
4 1997.4.10 Boomerang Arc-shaped piece of wood, hand shaped, with rounded ends. Maximum curve is nearer one end than the other. Bottom surface flat except at tip of long end, which raises slightly. Top surface is chip-carved to make rough surface all over except at ends and an arrangment of five kangaroos jumping. Color: BR 1997.4.10 (Boomerang) image
5 2004.8.1 Puppet Indian shadow puppet depicting the Ravana, the ten-headed, twenty-handed demon king who served as the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic the Ramayana. The figure is made of a very thin, translucent animal hide (most likely water buffalo) which has been dyed and painted to represent a ten-headed man with vivid red skin (this figure, like most puppets of Ravana, only has two arms, this is done in order to keep the puppeteering manageable). The puppet's outfit is a simple black dress or robe with pink, red, and white trim, a decorative scarf with pink, white, and black patterns, and simple red and black boots. There is a single stick running through the middle of the figure which is attached by small loops of thread; this was used to hold and angle the character during shows, the figure is also given limited movement through articulation at the shoulders, elbows, and knees (an uncommon pattern for Indian shadow puppets, there is no common tradition that uses articulated knees that does not also include articulated wrists) also done using thread. Character is about a foot tall, this is notable because most Indian puppets are much larger than this, with 2-4 feet tall being standard. There are several distinct styles of shadow puppetry in India, each with distinct traditions and aesthetics that reflect the regional culture they originate from. From these traditions, there can also be less common variations or even a blending where two or more traditions overlap, this can make it very difficult to distinguish with 100% certainty where a puppet originates from without a detailed provenance. As such, it is uncertain which regional tradition or variant this puppet came from as there are some aspects of its design that do not match any of the primary varieties. The unusual height and uncommon pattern of articulation effectively eliminate all standard styles from common traditions, although based on the artistic design and materials it is most likely closely related to either of the Togalu gombeyaata or Tolu bommalatam traditions, it is most likely one of three possibilities: 1)made by someone in a culturally blended area that was not involved with any traditional troupes 2) it was made by someone who is just learning or who doesn't have access to as many materials, or 3) it may be a variant used for a specific scene in a show as this is a fairly common practice. While there is a chance this was made to sell to tourists or give to children, this is unlikely as it is made using a deeply traditional and often expensive technique while most of those made for tourists and children are made with other, cheaper materials such as paper or even plastics. 2004.8.1 (Puppet) image
6 2004.8.2 Puppet Indian shadow puppet depicting the Hindu monkey god Hanuman, likely would have been used in performances of the Ramayana. Figure is made of paper-thin, transparent animal hide (likely water buffalo) that has been dyed and painted. The head, hands, and feet resemble that of a monkey and the body is black with red and white details. The body also has a perforated design. "Hanuman" is written on a round name tag and attached to the neck of the puppet. Hanuman is wearing red, pink, and white patterned necklaces and shorts. A plain wooden rod runs down the center of the puppet and is attached using threat. Figure is articulated at the shoulders, elbows, and knees (this is an unusual pattern as Indian shadow puppets are generally not articulated in the knee and any that are are typically also articulated at the wrist). Character is about a foot tall, this is notable because most Indian puppets are much larger than this, with 2-4 feet tall being standard. There are several distinct styles of shadow puppetry in India, each with distinct traditions and aesthetics that reflect the regional culture they originate from. From these traditions, there can also be less common variations or even a blending where two or more traditions overlap, this can make it very difficult to distinguish with 100% certainty where a puppet originates from without a detailed provenance. As such, it is uncertain which regional tradition or variant this puppet came from as there are some aspects of its design that do not match any of the primary varieties. The unusual height and uncommon pattern of articulation effectively eliminate all standard styles from common traditions, although based on the artistic design and materials it is most likely closely related to either of the Togalu gombeyaata or Tolu bommalatam traditions, it is most likely one of three possibilities: 1)made by someone in a culturally blended area that was not involved with any traditional troupes 2) it was made by someone who is just learning or who doesn't have access to as many materials, or 3) it may be a variant used for a specific scene in a show as this is a fairly common practice. While there is a chance this was made to sell to tourists or give to children, this is unlikely as it is made using a deeply traditional and often expensive technique while most of those made for tourists and children are made with other, cheaper materials such as paper or even plastics. 2004.8.2 (Puppet) image
7 2008.2.0002 Hat A large circle mostly RD and light BL, theres about a 2" wide strip of alternating cloth colors all the way around the bottom edge about every 8.5" a plant design occurs. Next a large RD x shape takes up most of the hats middle, the x shape has intricatly curving points and is boardered in alternating BK and WH. One of the 4 points has about 5" of BL beads instead of BK one a tringaular point, a WH, BK, and YL cross shape is in the middle of each of the large X's points and above these cross shapes are much smaller crosses in GR and YL, also between the x pionts are alternating colors connecting them about half way up their points. On the hats very tip is a large 8 pointed star finged with small beaded portions of string. The inside of the star is beaded in geometric patterns of various colors in the very middle. 7 strings of beads about 3" long. Color: RD, BL, YL, WH 2008.2.0002 (Hat) image
8 2010.17.5 Puppet Javanese wooden rod puppet from the wayang golek tradition of puppetry, specific character is unknown- may be possible to definitively identify with cultural knowledge. Figure has a narrow head with a combination of carved and painted facial features; eyes, eyebrows, nostril details, facial hair, and decorative details are painted black, lips are painted a bright red. Elaborate headdress consisting of a smooth black base that comes out from the back of the head and curls up to the top of the head on top of which is carved gold ornamentation with red trimming. Head is detachable from body. Body has very narrow waist that tapers into a conical piece with a hole which is covered by the skirt, this is where a wooden rod would be placed in order to operate the puppet. The arms are articulated at the shoulders and elbows using knotted thread, each hand has a thin, simple stick connected via string tied through holes in the palms, each arm has blue and red decorative ornamentation on the upper arm and wrist. The garment being worn by the figure is made up of a long skirt with dark blue patterns and a deep red velvet vest with star-like metallic embroidery. 2010.17.5 (Puppet) image