Dagger

Dagger with wavy blade (11 curves), asymmetrically widening at base. Bold wavy watery patterning (pamor). Medium brown wood hilt is strongly recurved, with carved vines, leaves and flowers. On inner face, an eagle with spread wings; at top of back a Dutch crown over a pair of lions (?) rampant. Ring and cup between blade and hilt are plain. One of a class of daggers called kris, defined by the asymmetrical 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.