This gold hilt cup is a unique part of a keris that comes between the hilt and the blade. It is known as ‘selut’ in Javanese and this particular hilt cup is decorated with floral and foliage motifs done through repoussé and chasing work. The keris hilts such as this one were owned by the Javanese nobility and they were usually embedded with precious stones and made from gold. The keris originated from Java and is seen as a symbol of manhood and a form of status symbol.
