The extraordinary quality of this keris can be seen in both the valuable materials and high level of craftsmanship used to make it. Such keris were not for ordinary people but only for people of direct royal descent. It was made in the court of Yogyakarta but in emulation of the Madurese style and offers a rare glimpse into how innovation emerges, even in the highly conservative world of the Javanese keris.Keris were an important dress accessory and status symbol, as well as a weapon and also were regarded as powerful objects of supernatural protection. The keris was thought to contain a spirit or isi which if properly cared for would ward off both physical and magical injury.
