A putrasatu style kris hilt

COMMENT. This hilt represents the putrasatu style, which is common both on the island of Madura and in East Java. The name of the style comes from the Sanskrit word "putra", which means a son or a child. The hilt is carved from bone, wood, or horn as a stylized anthropomorphic figure that is partially or completely hidden under floral vegetation. Often, the vegetal decoration is so dense that only the general contours of the head and body are clearly guessed. Such hilts can be interpreted as depicting a forest demon or vegetation god. The presented hilt has a pierced brass-gilt cup (selut) with a floral ornament.