Traditional Javanese Kris Display Board (Wayang Blawong)

This kris board (wayang blabag or wayang blawong), carved from a single plank of native teak wood, is elaborately carved with figures from the Indonesian version of the Indian epic, the Mahabarata, but in wayang or shadow puppet form. It is among the more elaborately carved examples of a Javanese kris board that we have seen, published or otherwise. The figures have been highlighted with black and white pigments.

Kris boards generally have the arched form shown here and were used to hang a family’s heirloom kris (traditional wavy bladed sword) . The kris often was passed from generation to generation and was imbued with magical properties. They were worn by the men of the household during important life cycle ritual occasions such as marriages. The magical properties imbued with a kris tended to be mirrored in the designs chosen for the kris board – the designs were not merely decorative but were intended to complement if not enhance the magical properties of the kris.

The board here has been drilled with three pairs of holes, retaining their original stringing, to allow a kris to be supported.

It is decorated from the base up, with a pair of naga serpents; then a frieze of seven figures from the Mahabharata; then a princely wayang hero astride a rearing horse; next is a frieze showing a pair of horses and a par of elephants (Javan elephants became extinct around the 18th century); next there are four clown figures – these are the punakawan; and then finally, two heroes, perhaps Yudistira or maybe Panji and Bima or maybe Arjuna. The top of the board – the arch – has been carved with a crenulated ribbon motif.

The punakawan – the wise clowns, are a peculiarly Indonesian addition to the Mahabarata; the characters do not feature in the original Indian version. They are much loved characters in Indonesia and perform the function of court jesters who also convey wisdom. They are shown with hunched backs; distorted, dwarfed bodies; and act as playful, bawdy gossips.

The horses are carved with short ears, short legs, and relatively elongated bodies in the manner of the native horses seen on Java.

The kris board is an excellent example, in excellent condition. It has clear age.