THE JAVANESE KRIS - kitlv

40 the javanese kris
even brighter and more beautiful designs than the meteoric iron from Parambanan. In
this metal, we have found a means to not only save the art of forging pamor from regrettable
decline, but perhaps also to allow it to flourish as never before.
The art has declined to such an extent, now that many important Javanese, even
several regents with whom I am acquainted, no longer carry really noble weapons in
their rather plain kĕris sheaths, while many a prijahi, even of high birth, had no idea
whatsoever how such a kĕris is forged, before my research into this subject made this
information available.
The decline of the prosperity of the Javanese people is also partly linked to the decline
of this branch of applied art.
I would like to urge my compatriots in the Dutch East Indies and Europe to support
those whose goal it is to open up this source of people’s development and well-being, to
allow it to thrive. Help us to revive this art. Decorate the walls of your rooms with one
or more precious products of authentic Javanese art. The ‘East and West’ Society in The
Hague will surely offer its assistance just as eagerly and unselfishly as the author of this
essay is prepared to do.
In closing, a word of thanks is due to Resident J.R. Couperus, without whose energetic
assistance it would have been much more difficult for me, a private citizen, to lay
my eyes on so many objects, or my hand on so many manuscripts, from the kraton of
the Sultans or the dalĕm of other persons of high standing.
Jogjåkartå, 15 January 1905.