Title
Keris tajong
Year/Period
late 19th - early 20th century
Region
Pattani, Northeast Malay Peninsula
Object Type
krises, sheaths (cases)
Material
wood (plant material), gold (metal), rose gold, steel (alloy)
Technique
metalworking, carving (processes), woodworking
Dimension
Object size: 60.0 x 17.0 x 13.5 cm
Accession No.
2014-00944
Collection of
NLB Type
Cultural artefact
The keris is a key element in the material culture of the Malay world and keris tajong are one of the rarest types. It is said to have been worn exclusively by warriors in the Malay courts of Kelantan and Pattani. The hilt is believed to be an evolved form of early Garuda hilts found in Java before the region converted to Islam. Under Islamic influence these hilts became more abstracted and bird-like in form.
