Accession Nr.: 57.406.1
Type: religious or cult object; weapons and armament; metalwork; carving
Date of production:
19th century
Place of production:
Materials/Techniques: steel, wood, forged, carved
Dimensions: length: 42. 5 cm
widthe: 7 cm
Straight-edged dagger, forged from steel. The carved hilt of the kris (Indonesian: keris) in question has a characteristic Central Javanese motif. The base of the hilt is surrounded by a shaft ring. Its blade is serrated in several places. The scabbard is missing.
For the Indonesians the kris is much more than a simple weapon, it is a spectacular and effective expression of Javanese spirituality, a vehicle of spiritual power, a symbol of heroism and a status symbol.