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Knife with crouching male and female figures with sheath
c. 1860–1900
Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas, United States
Among the Batak, the traditional marriage gifts from a husband's lineage to his bride's family included a pair of knives in a single sheath or scabbard. The use of male and female figures on the handles suggests that this pair was a ceremonial wedding gift. The handles represented the man and woman united in marriage.
**Excerpt from**
Roslyn A.Walker, PhD, Label text, 2013.
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Details
- Title: Knife with crouching male and female figures with sheath
- Date Created: c. 1860–1900
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 8 3/4 x 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (22.23 x 2.22 x 2.86 cm.)
- Type: Weapons and ammunition
- External Link: https://www.dma.org/object/artwork/3155656/
- Medium: Bronze and iron
- culture: Batak people
- Credit Line: Dallas Museum of Art, General Acquisitions Fund
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