Correct positioning of keris hilt

Gustav · 18th August 2022, 10:38 AM

I would like to add, that for Malay Keris there seem to exist also the last hilt position, not depicted in #1, the hilt facing backwards. I have two higher status Riau Keris where this is the case. On one I took the hilt off, it was very firmly secured with a dark mass, which, I conclude, is Jabung. The second fix is also very firm and I won't try to take it off. It has a good, old provenance.

I have read an explanation, the hilt of a dead persons of some importance Keris was fixed that way, at least in this region. Who knows.

18th August 2022, 10:38 AM	#8
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	I would like to add, that for Malay Keris there seem to exist also the last hilt position, not depicted in #1, the hilt facing backwards. I have two higher status Riau Keris where this is the case. On one I took the hilt off, it was very firmly secured with a dark mass, which, I conclude, is Jabung. The second fix is also very firm and I won't try to take it off. It has a good, old provenance. I have read an explanation, the hilt of a dead persons of some importance Keris was fixed that way, at least in this region. Who knows.