Maguindanao Kris with Fine Okir Hilt and Ivory Pommel

[F. de Luzon]

Hello all! Here's a Maguindano kris with fine okir on the hilt, and an ivory pommel. As you can see, the pommel looks very old. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Fernando

[kronckew]

Cool, High class Datu warrior's weapon, love the etch showing the lamination/inserted hard edge.

[F. de Luzon]

Hi Kronckew,

I'll post some close-ups of the blade for you tomorrow. Thanks for your insights.

Fernando

[Battara]

What a nice piece!

Actually I would say that the blade is Maguindanao, while the hilt is Maranao or made by a Maranao craftsman (based on the Maranao okir). This is not unheard of since these tribal areas were next to each other.

Also it looks like the surface of the orange bands of the hilt are made of suassa.

Is there a scabbard?

[F. de Luzon]

What a nice piece!

Actually I would say that the blade is Maguindanao, while the hilt is Maranao or made by a Maranao craftsman (based on the Maranao okir). This is not unheard of since these tribal areas were next to each other.

Also it looks like the surface of the orange bands of the hilt are made of suassa.

Is there a scabbard?


Hi Battara,

I was wondering if that hilt was Maranao. It comes with a Sulu style scabbard. So, it's a Maguindanao blade with a Maranao hilt and Sulu scabbard. Is it a cross over?

Regarding the hilt, I cleaned it and it turned white, almost like silver, then went back to this color after a few months. Is that a characteristic of swassa?

Thank you!

Fernando

[Battara]

Oh I see...........well it might not be suassa then, but a silver/copper mix to look like suassa. It will take testing by a jeweler to be sure which one.

Please post the scabbard so I can better determine if Sulu or what.

Crossovers are not unheard of........

[F. de Luzon]

Here are some close ups of the blade.

[F. de Luzon]

Hi Battara,

Below are pictures of the scabbard. The first one is the one it came with. I think it's a Sulu type. The mouth of the scabbard is slightly wider than the width of the gangya.

The second one is the scabbard of another kris that actually fits perfectly. It fits this blade much better than the one it came with. Since it's also a Sulu type, I kind of like it together. What do you think?

I hope to have the metal on the hilt tested soon and I'll let you know as soon as I have an update on that.

Thank you.

Fernando

[CharlesS]

Lovely kriss!

The holes along the spine of the pommel and they nearly straight line of dark patina there make we wonder if there was a silver or suassa band across the top.

Battara, your thoughts?

[Battara]

Regarding the patina around the top and back of the pommel, I was looking at that and have hesitated to comment. I think Charles that it is likely that there was a silver (I doubt true suassa) strap around the pommel. Thanks for pointing out the holes (I had to look a littler harder to see what you were talking about).

Regarding the scabbards: both were made later than the kris itself. The first one was made perhaps in the 1990s(?) and is not Sulu but looks more Maguindanao. The second scabbard is perhaps from the 1960s-1980s(?) and Sulu (based on the style of the scabbard as a whole). However the cloth mansala might be Maguindanao (need to see more of it).

However, glad to see some lamination in the blade. This for me definitely places the kris in the late 19th - early 20th century.

[F. de Luzon]

I was wondering about those holes and the dark patina, CharlesS. Thanks for pointing it out.

Salamat sa insights, Battara. I'm happy to know it came with a Maguindanao scabbard.

I've noticed that nicer scabbards (hardwood with okir/ukkil on brass rings) are usually later additions. They are heavier and more decorative compared to the evidently older scabbards that some of my krisses came with. Usually the older ones are no frills and practical. I think I'll start another thread on this. :)