Dagger

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.