Kris handles showing royal 'mascots'?

Jim McDougall · 1st July 2012, 06:02 PM

Hello Cinna,
Welcome to our forums. Since you are from California and note you are now in Bali, and you have not posted a kris example in your query, I am presuming your question derives from your exposure to these fascinating weapons there, and that you are not a collector. The study of the kris is possibly one of the most complex of the ethnographic weapons collected, as it involves deeply seated tradition, religious Faith and powerful superstitions and beliefs. It would be vitually impossible to accurately describe, even touch on, the complex elements of these here, even in any kind of overview.

I would avoid using the term 'mascot' in describing the figures involved in representations on these hilts as they are revered, respected and feared images that involve various powerfully held beliefs in these cultures, and are far from fancifully applied. In order to properly understand the significance of these images, it is important to be aware that thier appearance is often symbolic or stylized in image as they are intended to evoke temporal images and must be subjectively viewed rather than seen as accurate depictions.

May I recommend that you send images of the particular form you might have questions on, and that the many specialists here, who I might note proudly, have a phenomenal knowledge base, that they might answer the questions categorically.

All the best,
Jim

1st July 2012, 06:02 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Hello Cinna, Welcome to our forums. Since you are from California and note you are now in Bali, and you have not posted a kris example in your query, I am presuming your question derives from your exposure to these fascinating weapons there, and that you are not a collector. The study of the kris is possibly one of the most complex of the ethnographic weapons collected, as it involves deeply seated tradition, religious Faith and powerful superstitions and beliefs. It would be vitually impossible to accurately describe, even touch on, the complex elements of these here, even in any kind of overview. I would avoid using the term 'mascot' in describing the figures involved in representations on these hilts as they are revered, respected and feared images that involve various powerfully held beliefs in these cultures, and are far from fancifully applied. In order to properly understand the significance of these images, it is important to be aware that thier appearance is often symbolic or stylized in image as they are intended to evoke temporal images and must be subjectively viewed rather than seen as accurate depictions. May I recommend that you send images of the particular form you might have questions on, and that the many specialists here, who I might note proudly, have a phenomenal knowledge base, that they might answer the questions categorically. All the best, Jim