Dagger
| Native Name | Kris |
|---|---|
| Object Number: | 42-30-373A |
| Current Location: | Collections Storage |
| Culture: | Javanese (uncertain) |
| Provenience: | Java (uncertain) |
| Section: | Oceanian |
| Materials: | Metal Wood |
| Length: | 43.8 cm |
| Credit Line: | Gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing on behalf of the Estate of Florence C. Whitney, 1942 |
| Other Number: | 519 - Other Number |
Description
Dagger with wavy blade (15 curves), strong watery patterning (pamor) in closely spaced parallel crosswise lines. Dark wood handle carved in form of stylized figure, crouching on a plain base, head bent forward, covered with curves, spirals, flowers. Cup between blade and handle, usually metal, is wood, with half of top broken off. One of a class of daggers called kris, defined by the widening at one side of the blade base. Kris are not only weapons but also works of art and objects of mythical, ritual, and ceremonial significance: in 2005, UNESCO gave the title “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” to the kris of Indonesia.
Bibliography:
| [Book] Frey, Edward. 1988. The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World.. Oxford University Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 34 (Fig. 6c) | View Objects related to this Type Citation |
| [Book] Groneman, Isaac. 2009. The Javanese Kris.. C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden and KITLV Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: 180-1 | View Objects related to this Type Citation |
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