| Accession Nr.: | 58.47.1-2 |
|---|---|
| Type: | religious or cult object; weapons and armament; metalwork; carving |
| Date of production: |
18 − 19th century
|
| Place of production: |
Straight-edged dagger, forged from steel. The carved hilt of the kris (Indonesian: keris) in question has a characteristic Central Javanese motif. The usual shaft ring is missing at the base of the grip, and the scabbard, similarly to the guard (Indonesian: wranka), is made of wood, covered with brass, decorated with engraved plant motifs.
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.
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.