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Dagger

Native NameKris
Object Number:42-30-366A
Current Location: Collections Storage
Culture:Javanese
Provenience: Java
Surakarta (uncertain)
Section:Oceanian
Materials:Metal
Wood
Length: 44.5 cm
Credit Line:Gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing on behalf of the Estate of Florence C. Whitney, 1942
Other Number:71 - Other Number

Description

Dagger with wavy blade (5 curves), widening asymmetrically at base, median ridge both faces. Some dark watery patterning (pamor). Blade covered with greasy substance. Bent, faceted wood handle (“young shoot in tree trunk”) with two carvings on the inner side, possibly the stylized representations of masks or monster (kala) faces. Style of hilt typical of Surakarta. Brass cup/ring between blade and handle has rows of beading top and bottom, with rows of balls and triangular prongs 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.

Bibliography:

[Book] Groneman, Isaac. 2009. The Javanese Kris.. C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden and KITLV Press. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 186, Inv. Nr. 26 and Inv Nr. 70; pp. 176-177, Figs. 40, 40a and 41View Objects related to this Type Citation
[Article] Fontaine, Patrice. 2005. Le Kriss: elements d'analyse stylistique.. pg. pp. 117-147 Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: Fig. 3, iView 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. 49 (a)View Objects related to this Type Citation
[Book] Solyom, Bronwen, and Solyom, Garrett. The World of the Javanese Keris.. Type Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 32, Fig. 91View Objects related to this Type Citation

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