Dagger
| Native Name | Kris |
|---|---|
| Object Number: | 42-30-455A |
| Current Location: | Collections Storage |
| Culture: | Sumatran |
| Provenience: | Sumatra |
| Section: | Oceanian |
| Materials: | Metal Wood |
| Length: | 41.3 cm |
| Width: | 7 cm |
| Credit Line: | Gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing on behalf of the Estate of Florence C. Whitney, 1942 |
| Other Number: | 540 - Other Number |
Description
Dagger with long, thin, almost imperceptably wavy blade (7 curves), broadening asymmetrically at base. Watery markings (pamor). Light colored wood hilt carved as demon (raksasa), slightly bent forward, with long wavy hair flowing down back. Rest of head and body covered with decorative surface carving. Ring between blade and hilt (mendak) has bands of beading, interrupted in places. An example 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
Bibliography:
| [Book] Groneman, Isaac. 2009. The Javanese Kris.. C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden and KITLV Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 191, Inv. Nr. 161 | View Objects related to this Type Citation |
You may also be interested in these objects:
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.