[A. G. Maisey]

The keris itself looks to be old, but in the absence of full length photos and perhaps some close ups, that's all I can say.

The five point star symbol is common in Islam, it is often at the top of a mesjid & it symbolises the five pillars of Islam:-

1) the testimony (shahada:- "I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.")

2) pray five times daily

3) help those less fortunate than yourself, give alms to the poor

4) fast during Ramadan

5) complete the hajj before you die

Here on the keris it can be understood as both a profession of Faith and to be generally protective.


The diamond shape echoes pamor Tamsul Kinurung, which has broad protective qualities.

This kinatah work looks like a recent addition, possibly only thin gold foil held in place with adhesive, this sort of thing can come loose very easily. The bulk behind the gold might be soft solder or resin; if the surface of the blade has been carved in relief the symbols will be original, and only the kinatah will have been freshened up.

Very often we see these talismanic additions to a keris when a dealer is finding a keris difficult to sell.