Small Keris with interesting handle

RSWORD · 26th July 2020, 10:41 PM

This Keris was interesting to me because of the handle material. It looks like Agate which doesn’t seem to common in Keris hilts. I understand these small pieces to be amulets or even talismanic in nature. Is that correct? Blade seems shaped like a Wayang figure, at least an abstract one and has some etched inscriptions done in a circle that might have some meaning. Thanks for having a look and sharing comments or thoughts.

A. G. Maisey · 26th July 2020, 11:31 PM

This is an interesting item, truly, but it is not a keris.

The figure is Semar. To do justice to an explanation of Semar would require many more words than could be justified in a forum dealing with the keris. Here is a short, simple explanation that does not even come close to providing an understanding of Semar, but it is an easy place to start.

https://wepa.unima.org/en/semar/

Semar is The Soul of Jawa, and a very popular talismanic icon.

The hilt probably is agate, in the Mangkunegaraan in Solo there is a display of small daggers with agate hilts that are believed to have been in the possession of female abdi dalem (court attendants). Solo has a long history in lapidary work, and polished stones are very popular in Central Jawa.

I would be inclined to attribute this piece to Solo, late Colonial era.

Marcokeris · 27th July 2020, 08:47 AM

another one

RSWORD · 27th July 2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

another one

Thank you for sharing. Very nice.

David · 28th July 2020, 03:48 AM

Another interesting item. The hilt has a simplistic beauty. But again, as Alan has pointed out, not a keris.

Green · 29th July 2020, 04:29 PM

the writing says

Ya Allah
Ya Muhammad
Ya nabi (prophet)

on the other side is a a verse from the Qur'an sura 36: 58

Peace (Salam) fron a lord most merciful.

This sura is considered to be the 'heart' of the Quran and is recited when people are in situation of great stress or when a person is at near death . And recited after a person is dead.

The verse 58 is a very wellknown one and often repeated as a form of prayer.

This is quite interesting. a fusion of hindu figure with muslim prayer...

RSWORD · 27th July 2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

This is an interesting item, truly, but it is not a keris.

The figure is Semar. To do justice to an explanation of Semar would require many more words than could be justified in a forum dealing with the keris. Here is a short, simple explanation that does not even come close to providing an understanding of Semar, but it is an easy place to start.

https://wepa.unima.org/en/semar/

Semar is The Soul of Jawa, and a very popular talismanic icon.

The hilt probably is agate, in the Mangkunegaraan in Solo there is a display of small daggers with agate hilts that are believed to have been in the possession of female abdi dalem (court attendants). Solo has a long history in lapidary work, and polished stones are very popular in Central Jawa.

I would be inclined to attribute this piece to Solo, late Colonial era.

Thank you for the information Alan.

26th July 2020, 10:41 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Small Keris with interesting handle This Keris was interesting to me because of the handle material. It looks like Agate which doesn’t seem to common in Keris hilts. I understand these small pieces to be amulets or even talismanic in nature. Is that correct? Blade seems shaped like a Wayang figure, at least an abstract one and has some etched inscriptions done in a circle that might have some meaning. Thanks for having a look and sharing comments or thoughts. Attached Images

27th July 2020, 08:47 AM	#3
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	another one Attached Images

26th July 2020, 11:31 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	This is an interesting item, truly, but it is not a keris. The figure is Semar. To do justice to an explanation of Semar would require many more words than could be justified in a forum dealing with the keris. Here is a short, simple explanation that does not even come close to providing an understanding of Semar, but it is an easy place to start. https://wepa.unima.org/en/semar/ Semar is The Soul of Jawa, and a very popular talismanic icon. The hilt probably is agate, in the Mangkunegaraan in Solo there is a display of small daggers with agate hilts that are believed to have been in the possession of female abdi dalem (court attendants). Solo has a long history in lapidary work, and polished stones are very popular in Central Jawa. I would be inclined to attribute this piece to Solo, late Colonial era.

28th July 2020, 03:48 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Another interesting item. The hilt has a simplistic beauty. But again, as Alan has pointed out, not a keris.

29th July 2020, 04:29 PM	#6
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	the writing says Ya Allah Ya Muhammad Ya nabi (prophet) on the other side is a a verse from the Qur'an sura 36: 58 Peace (Salam) fron a lord most merciful. This sura is considered to be the 'heart' of the Quran and is recited when people are in situation of great stress or when a person is at near death . And recited after a person is dead. The verse 58 is a very wellknown one and often repeated as a form of prayer. This is quite interesting. a fusion of hindu figure with muslim prayer...