Dagger

Dagger with wavy blade (11 curves), some watery patterning (pamor) visible at base of blade, otherwise obscured (by rust?). Ivory handle, slightly bent, carved in form of a demon (raksasa) with curled fangs and five long wavy locks of hair. Deeply carved surface decoration of curling stylized leaves. Cup between blade and handle gilded, with looping twisted cord decoration. 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.