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Dagger

Native NameKris
Object Number:42-30-367A
Current Location: Collections Storage
Culture:Javanese
Provenience: Java
Section:Oceanian
Materials:Metal
Wood
Length: 44.2 cm
Credit Line:Gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing on behalf of the Estate of Florence C. Whitney, 1942
Other Number:61 - Other Number

Description

Dagger with straight blade, widening asymmetrically at base and tapering to point; strong, intricate mottled watery pattering (pamor). Hilt of dark brown wood in form of figure with bent head. Deeply carved surface decoration, sinuous openwork elements. Large silver colored plain cup between blade and hilt. 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.

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