Dagger

Dagger with wavy blade (9 curves), asymmetrically widening at base. Dark and textured: watery patterning (pamor) hard to see. Guard (ganja) has come somewhat separated from top of blade. Hilt is dark brown wood, deeply recurved at end, with opening cut through at inside of curve. Overall surface carving, including leaves and rosettes, and winged horse on inner side. Metal ring between blade and hilt has beading top and bottom and rows of triangular prongs and larger balls in between.

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.