Object details
Accession number
M18e79
Primary Creator
Indonesian, Java
Full title
Handle of a Kris (Ceremonial Knife)
Creation Date
19th century
Provenance
Probably purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner in Surabaya or Yogyakarta, Java, December 1883.
Dimensions
10.8 cm (4 1/4 in.)
Display Media
Gilded copper, wood core
Web Commentary
In December 1883, Isabella and Jack Gardner bought krises – ceremonial Javanese knives – in Surabaya and Yogyakarta (pp. 262, 266), and Isabella noted how they were worn by the Javanese.
Source: “Objects from Cambodia and Java,” in Journeys East: Isabella Stewart Gardner and Asia, edited by Alan Chong and Noriko Murai (Boston: ISGM and Gutenberg Periscope, 2009): 457.
Permanent Gallery Location
Little Salon
Bibliography
Alan Chong and Noriko Murai. Journeys East: Isabella Stewart Gardner and Asia. Exh. cat. (Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2009), p. 457, fig. 5. (as Javanese, dated 19th century)
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