Kris Stand
Unknown Artist
16th–19th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
H. 18.5 in. (47 cm)
Classification
Kris Stand
Culture
Balinese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.1278
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant wooden Kris Stand, hailing from Bali and dating to the 16th–19th centuries, measures 18.5 inches (47 cm) in height Crafted by an unknown artisan, it belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms Armor department, acquired through the bequest of George C Stone in 1935. As a specialized support for the kris—a iconic wavy-bladed dagger—the stand exemplifies functional design in Balinese material culture, blending utility with cultural symbolism. In Balinese society, the kris was far more than a weapon; represented status, spiritual protection, and masculine identity, often servin...