A batman keris selit

[A. G. Maisey]

The quality of craftsmanship in an item of tosan aji is most certainly relevant when that item is intended to be seen as a work of art, or if it is the production of a known and respected empu or pande.

However, when an item of tosan aji has been made originally for a talismanic purpose, or has been altered to fulfil a talismanic requirement, the quality of craftsmanship comes a very distant second to the esoteric content that the item is perceived to enshrine.

The craftsmanship of this little blade is certainly not what one would expect to see from a noted maker, and there is perhaps a possibility of alteration at a time following its original production, however, in view of the probable intent of a keris such as this, I personally would not consider the question of quality of craftsmanship to be relevant in even the smallest degree.