Kris hilt
Accession Nr.: | 79.36.1 |
---|---|
Type: | weapons and armament; metalwork; carving |
Date of production: |
18 − 19th century
|
Place of production: |
Javanese dagger (kris) handle with figural decoration. The carved body may originally have been covered with gold plates. The head shows a monster figure with protruding fangs and bulging eyes. It was part of a sacred object.
For the Indonesians, the kris is much more than a simple weapon, a spectacular and effective expression of Javanese spirituality, a bearer of spiritual power, a symbol of heroism and a status symbol.
For the Indonesians, the kris is much more than a simple weapon, a spectacular and effective expression of Javanese spirituality, a bearer of spiritual power, a symbol of heroism and a status symbol.