My Kris from the Edward Fey collection

[Marcus]

The hilt is rather plain but with these couple of carved spots. One at least looks like it could be a face.

[David]

Marcus, you are indeed correct. This is the standard Javanese planar hilt, in this case of Surakarta style and what you perceive as faces are what are called cecekan and they are indeed just that. Some people feel that these mask like faces relate to ancestors.

[A. G. Maisey]

Possibly ancestors, possibly deities, possibly protective beings, possibly ancestors deified, possibly deified ancestors as protective figures --- possibly --- possibly --- possibly ---

--- and the reason for the distilled figures in the first place? Again a number of possibilities ---

--- and what about the original figures from which these planar hilt carvings have possibly been distilled?

Well, just as many possibilities there too.


The really great thing about Javanese symbolism is that it is almost unlimited, except by imagination. It is multi symbolism, and one thing can be interpreted in a number of different ways, dependent upon the situation and the person doing the interpreting --- and what side of the bed he got out of.

[David]

Well, i did say "some" people...

[A. G. Maisey]

--- depending on what side of the bed they got out of.

[David]

So which side of the bed did you get up on this morning Alan?

[A. G. Maisey]

My side.