My Refurbished Balinese Kris

David · 10th July 2023, 05:49 PM

Beautiful keris blade and you did a fine job redressing it. I would say the hilt is not very old, but it is quite attractive and suits this ensemble well. Nice job!

milandro · 10th July 2023, 05:51 PM

cheers

milandro · 24th February 2024, 04:29 PM

I have just learned that the hilt is a representation of Putri Mandalika a Sasak princess whose figure overlaps and someone is identified with the one of Parvati . The goddess is worshipped by the Sasak population of Lombok but also on Bali.

I got this from a new friend , Duncan, who is a very knowledgeable hilt connoisseur , Very thankful to him.

A. G. Maisey · 25th February 2024, 12:51 AM

Milandro, I find that to be a strange symbolism to incorporate into a keris hilt.

My memory of the Putri Mandalika myth is that she committed suicide by drowning rather than choose a husband from her many suitors, she became a symbol of self sacrifice.

Her reincarnation was as a sea worm that is eaten.

Rather a strange symbolism to occupy the position that is usually one of a protective symbol.

I wonder if this hilt is perhaps an artistic expression rather than an expression of keris symbolism?

milandro · 25th February 2024, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Milandro, I find that to be a strange symbolism to incorporate into a keris hilt.

My memory of the Putri Mandalika myth is that she committed suicide by drowning rather than choose a husband from her many suitors, she became a symbol of self sacrifice.

Her reincarnation was as a sea worm that is eaten.

Rather a strange symbolism to occupy the position that is usually one of a protective symbol.

I wonder if this hilt is perhaps an artistic expression rather than an expression of keris symbolism?

My new friend has provided me with an extensive reference of hilts, all representing the same goddess , which are all very coherent with the depiction on my hilt. Ik will ask him permission to share them with the kind people here. He also provided extensive stories concerning the cult and the worms which apparently consumed during the festival in the winter when they appear.

A. G. Maisey · 25th February 2024, 08:08 AM

Thanks Milandro.

Yes, I understand that the Putri Mandalika myth has a strong following in Lombok, this is not in question at all.

What strikes me as peculiar is that Putri Mandalika is not associated with a protective function, but the personage used as a keris hilt figure is supposed to perform a protective function.

The symbolism associated with Putri Mandalika would seem to be quite the opposite of being protective, so I am wondering just how and why Putri Mandalika has achieved keris hilt status.

Yes, these worms are regarded as a delicacy & they only appear on the beaches for a very limited period, they are called something like "nyale". They have all sorts of esoteric powers attributed to them and are currently being used in Lombok to promote tourism.

But PM as a protective agent?

I don't think that is a part of the myth. The way this myth was told to me , many, many years ago is that PM symbolises self sacrifice and bravery, so if indeed this is case, why use her as a protective device?

I just don't get it.

milandro · 25th February 2024, 08:12 AM

I don't know, I have certainly seen (I will share when given permission) a great many similar depictions on hilts. I am assuming that carvers in Lombok and their clients appreciate her for this purpose.

My friend also elaborated on the conversions of the deity of Putri Mandalika which uniformed to Parvati wife of Shiva.

10th July 2023, 05:49 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Beautiful keris blade and you did a fine job redressing it. I would say the hilt is not very old, but it is quite attractive and suits this ensemble well. Nice job!

10th July 2023, 05:51 PM	#2
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	cheers

24th February 2024, 04:29 PM	#3
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	I have just learned that the hilt is a representation of Putri Mandalika a Sasak princess whose figure overlaps and someone is identified with the one of Parvati . The goddess is worshipped by the Sasak population of Lombok but also on Bali. I got this from a new friend , Duncan, who is a very knowledgeable hilt connoisseur , Very thankful to him.

25th February 2024, 12:51 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Milandro, I find that to be a strange symbolism to incorporate into a keris hilt. My memory of the Putri Mandalika myth is that she committed suicide by drowning rather than choose a husband from her many suitors, she became a symbol of self sacrifice. Her reincarnation was as a sea worm that is eaten. Rather a strange symbolism to occupy the position that is usually one of a protective symbol. I wonder if this hilt is perhaps an artistic expression rather than an expression of keris symbolism?

25th February 2024, 08:08 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Thanks Milandro. Yes, I understand that the Putri Mandalika myth has a strong following in Lombok, this is not in question at all. What strikes me as peculiar is that Putri Mandalika is not associated with a protective function, but the personage used as a keris hilt figure is supposed to perform a protective function. The symbolism associated with Putri Mandalika would seem to be quite the opposite of being protective, so I am wondering just how and why Putri Mandalika has achieved keris hilt status. Yes, these worms are regarded as a delicacy & they only appear on the beaches for a very limited period, they are called something like "nyale". They have all sorts of esoteric powers attributed to them and are currently being used in Lombok to promote tourism. But PM as a protective agent? I don't think that is a part of the myth. The way this myth was told to me , many, many years ago is that PM symbolises self sacrifice and bravery, so if indeed this is case, why use her as a protective device? I just don't get it.

25th February 2024, 08:12 AM	#7
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	I don't know, I have certainly seen (I will share when given permission) a great many similar depictions on hilts. I am assuming that carvers in Lombok and their clients appreciate her for this purpose. My friend also elaborated on the conversions of the deity of Putri Mandalika which uniformed to Parvati wife of Shiva.