[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

All agreed David, however, in respect of the "soldier keris".

There are several of this type of keris on display in the museum attached to the Sumenep kraton, they are named as gabilan wrongkos.

From three informants living in Sumenep, one of whom was an abdi dalem of the kraton, I was advised that this type of wrongko is a form of folk art, very often carved by the owner of the keris himself.

Supposedly Madurese men who joined the Dutch forces would take a keris of this style with them when they left to serve. Often the keris style reflected a Dutch motif or idea, which was believed to be a show of loyalty to the Dutch.

This particular "cat" style is supposed to represent the Dutch Lion of Orange.

I would gently suggest that these Madurese keris were never made as "tourist keris", they began as Madurese folk art, they were taken into Dutch service by Madurese mercenaries, and perhaps when the Madurese soldier returned home he might have sold or given his keris to a Dutch soldier.

These keris might have become "tourist objects" for the Dutch, but they never were this for the Madurese.

Yes Alan, i completely agree with this.