Dagger

Dagger with narrow wavy blade (7 curves), asymmetrically widening at one side of the base. No watery patterning (pamor). Light brown bent, faceted wood hilt (“young shoot in tree trunk”), with two carvings on the inner side, possibly the stylized representations of masks or monster (kala) faces. The metal ring between the blade and the hilt is decorated with prongs and balls. The guard at top of the blade (ganja) has come somewhat separated from the main part of the blade. 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.