Inscribed Naga Belt Holder (Olan-olan)
Central Java, Indonesia, 18th-19th century
length: 7.2cm
weight: 81 grams (2 & 3/4 ounes)
This iron buckle is in the shape of two entwined serpents or nagas. It has races of
silver and copper inlay. Th reverse is inscribed with two lines of Javanese script - one
of inlaid silver and the other of inlaid copper, withing a silver inlaid border. Buckles of
this type often have an inscription on the reverse but not typically as extensive as
with this example.
Buckles such as these are associated with the 19th century kratons (courts) of
central Java, particularly Surakarta (Solo). The were part of court dress for male
courtiers.
The use of Javanese script began to die out from the nineteenth century due to
Dutch colonial influence. Today, relatively few Javanese can read it, mostly they are
scholars.
References: A buckle and holder of similar form are illustrated in Richter, A., The
Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p. 189.
Inventory no.: 601
Central Java, Indonesia, 18th-19th century
length: 7.2cm
weight: 81 grams (2 & 3/4 ounes)
This iron buckle is in the shape of two entwined serpents or nagas. It has races of
silver and copper inlay. Th reverse is inscribed with two lines of Javanese script - one
of inlaid silver and the other of inlaid copper, withing a silver inlaid border. Buckles of
this type often have an inscription on the reverse but not typically as extensive as
with this example.
Buckles such as these are associated with the 19th century kratons (courts) of
central Java, particularly Surakarta (Solo). The were part of court dress for male
courtiers.
The use of Javanese script began to die out from the nineteenth century due to
Dutch colonial influence. Today, relatively few Javanese can read it, mostly they are
scholars.
References: A buckle and holder of similar form are illustrated in Richter, A., The
Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p. 189.
Inventory no.: 601
