Keris with hilt depicting a raksasa (demon)
Full Description:
Materials: Steel, gilt-silver
A fine 19th century keris from Bali with the blade having 13 luk (waves) and of wide profile. The pamor (blade pattern) has been partly polished, but appears to have the blade pattern (pamor) beras wutah (scattered rice). The hilt nicely skilfully formed in gilt-silver depicting a rakasa demon.
Often the original intention that the keris has magical and spiritual qualities is ignored, and the keris just considered an object or a weapon. In honour of the traditions of the keris and the empu (talented smiths) who made them, I would like to note what each pamor represents. Pamor probably beras wutah (spilled rice) aids in spiritual and material wealth.