The _jámang_ or golden plate, which was worn over the forehead, as well as a variety of golden ornaments round the neck and arms, and which formerly formed the most splendid part of the costume, are now disused; except at marriages, or in dramatic or other entertainments, when the ancient costume of the country is exhibited in all its rich and gorgeous variety.
The following picture of a Javan beauty, taken from one of the most popular poems of the country, will serve better than any description of mine, to place before the reader the standard of female elegance and perfection in the island, and to convey an accurate idea of the personal decorations on nuptial occasions, in dances and dramatic exhibitions; it will at the same time afford a representation of what may be considered to have formed the full dress of a female of distinction, before the innovations of Mahometanism and the partial introduction of the European fashions. The extravagant genius of eastern poetry may perhaps be best employed in portraying such fantastic images, or celebrating such extraordinary tastes.
"Her face was fair and bright as the moon, and it expressed all that was lovely. The beauty of _Ráden Pútri_ far excelled even that of the _widadári Déwi Ráti_: she shone bright even in the dark, and she was without defect or blemish.
"So clear and striking was her brightness, that it flashed to the sky as she was gazed at: the lustre of the sun was even dimmed in her presence, for she seemed to have stolen from him his refulgence. So much did she excel in beauty, that it is impossible to describe it.
"Her shape and form were nothing wanting, and her hair when loosened hung down to her feet, waving in dark curls: the short front hairs were turned with regularity as a fringe, her forehead resembling the _chendána_ stone. Her eyebrows were like two leaves of the _ímbo_ tree; the outer angle of the eye acute and slightly extended; the ball of the eye full, and the upper eyelash slightly curling upwards.
"Tears seemed floating in her eye, but started not. Her nose was sharp and pointed; her teeth black as the _kómbang_; her lips the colour of the newly cut _mangústin_ shell. Her teeth regular and brilliant; her cheeks in shape like the fruit of the _dúren_; the lower part of the cheek slightly protruding. Her ears in beauty like the _giánti_ flowers, and her neck like unto the young and graceful _gádung_ leaf.