Dagger

Dagger with straight blade, asymmetrically widening at base. Somewhat splotchy watery patterning within wavy lines (pamor). 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. Small protuberance at top of upper carving. The metal ring between the blade and hilt is decorated with bands of large and small 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.