knife (weapon (currency & wealth))

Kris sajen, often called an amulet kris or Kris Majapahit. The hilt and blade are made of iron, and forged from a single piece. The depressions in the blade are said to be thumbprints. The hilt is in the shape of a human form.

This type of kris is said to be a potent amulet which protects the crops against disease and vermin. Often passed down the generations as an heirloom or pusaka.

Collection Information

These objects are only a part of our collections, of which there are more than 350,000 objects. This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be errors. This part of the website is also still under construction, so there may be some fields repeated or incorrectly formatted information.

The database retains language taken from historical documents to help research. Please note that some records may feature language and reflect systems of thinking that are outdated and offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities.

If you have any further information about objects in our collections, can suggest corrections to our information or if you see content requiring immediate action, please contact us: enquiry@horniman.ac.uk