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Dagger

Native NameKris
Object Number:42-30-444A
Current Location: Collections Storage
Culture:Javanese
Provenience: Java
Section:Oceanian
Materials:Metal
Ivory
Length: 43.5 cm
Credit Line:Gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing on behalf of the Estate of Florence C. Whitney, 1942
Other Number:30 N S 19325 - Dealer's Number
332 - Collector Number

Description

Dagger with wavy blade (7 curves) widening asymmetrically at base. Bold watery patterning (pamor) of wavy transverse bands. Ivory handle, deeply carved with scrolls and tendrils, may represent a stylized demon (raksasa). Brass(?) cup and ring between the blade and handle plain, with bands of beading. 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.

Bibliography:

[Book] Groneman, Isaac. 2009. The Javanese Kris.. C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden and KITLV Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 192, Inv. Nr.162View Objects related to this Type Citation
[Book] Frey, Edward. 1988. The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World.. Oxford University Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 48, Fig. 19 (i)View Objects related to this Type Citation

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