Small Keris with interesting handle

A. G. Maisey · 26th July 2020, 10:31 PM

This is an interesting item, truly, but it is not a keris.

The figure is Semar. To do justice to an explanation of Semar would require many more words than could be justified in a forum dealing with the keris. Here is a short, simple explanation that does not even come close to providing an understanding of Semar, but it is an easy place to start.

https://wepa.unima.org/en/semar/

Semar is The Soul of Jawa, and a very popular talismanic icon.

The hilt probably is agate, in the Mangkunegaraan in Solo there is a display of small daggers with agate hilts that are believed to have been in the possession of female abdi dalem (court attendants). Solo has a long history in lapidary work, and polished stones are very popular in Central Jawa.

I would be inclined to attribute this piece to Solo, late Colonial era.

26th July 2020, 10:31 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	This is an interesting item, truly, but it is not a keris. The figure is Semar. To do justice to an explanation of Semar would require many more words than could be justified in a forum dealing with the keris. Here is a short, simple explanation that does not even come close to providing an understanding of Semar, but it is an easy place to start. https://wepa.unima.org/en/semar/ Semar is The Soul of Jawa, and a very popular talismanic icon. The hilt probably is agate, in the Mangkunegaraan in Solo there is a display of small daggers with agate hilts that are believed to have been in the possession of female abdi dalem (court attendants). Solo has a long history in lapidary work, and polished stones are very popular in Central Jawa. I would be inclined to attribute this piece to Solo, late Colonial era.