Dagger

Dagger with narrow wavy blade (7 curves), linear curving watery patterning (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. The metal ring and cup between the blade and the hilt are missing; a red-striped woven cotton tape is wedged between the tang and the bottom of the hilt. The guard (ganja) has come somewhat separated from the main part of the blade. 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.