THE JAVANESE KRIS - kitlv

introduction
17
Inv. Nr. 2160 - 409a/b (TM)
Origin: Ceribon, North Java.
Acquisition: 1952; donated by the heirs
of Mr. W.F.C.C. Pijnacker Hordijk.
Kris with eleven curves and pamor with
a small golden elephant trunk on the
front. The ivory grip takes the form of
a stylized elephant. The ring between
handle and blade is missing.
Length: 46.5 cm
Inv. Nr. 1 (OvW)
Origin: Yogyakarta,
Java.
A panakawan kris
such as is carried
by servants of
high birth who are
learning the art of officiating
as high court dignitaries.
The hilt is in the shape of a
raksasa. This demon giant and
protector is seen as barbaric. When grown up, such a servant receives his
own kraton-hilt (deder) which is usually shaped like his person. Thus, the
taman ngabehan is named after Pangeran Ngabeheni, subsequently the
Sultan Hamanku Buwana VII. The old blade with its thirteen curves and
cloudy rice-patterns as damascene is a masterpiece. The hilt consists of
elephant ivory with a gold alloy (suasa) selut and a silver-plated crownshaped
stem ring (mendak bejen). A wrangka in the shape of a kidney
(gayaman) consisting of pelet ngingrim-wood; its magic pattern serves the
benefit of leaders.
A closed pendok (pendok bunton) with a semen-pattern (to be used by
nobility only) is made of high-grade silver.
Length: 49 cm