Kris Sheath
Unknown Artist
16th–19th century
Dimensions
L. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); Wt. 1.2 oz. (34 g)
Classification
Krisses
Culture
Javanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.1150
Art Historical Context
This elegant Javanese kris sheath, dating from the 16th to 19th century, is a masterful example of functional art from Indonesia's island of Java. As part of the renowned kris dagger ensemble—classified here in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department—the sheath protected the blade of this asymmetrical, wavy-edged weapon, which held profound cultural and spiritual significance. In Javanese society, krisses were not mere tools of combat but symbols of power, status, and mysticism, often believed to possess supernatural qualities that brought luck or protection to their owners....