A Moro Kriss Blade Fully Mounted in Visayan Dress

[CharlesS]

Moro and Visayan blades are my favorite two blade cultures of the Philippines. Both cultures made exceptional blades of various styles. I have no idea why one culture would choose to use a blade from the other and dress it out in its own form, but below is a just such an example. This Moro made pattern welded blade is a lovely example or Moro blade craftsmanship, but it is fully dressed in Visayan fittings from top to bottom. The hilt is of horn in a classic Visayan "monster" motif with an octagonal brass bolster. The Moro style baca-baca has been retained and appears to fit under the hilt. The scabbard is of a unique style, but the brass fittings are mounted in a way typical to other Visayan sword scabbards.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 27.25in.
Blade length: 21in.
Blade width at the center of the blade: 1.33in.

[Battara]

How interesting!

And very complete.

[Ian]

Hi Charles:

Great example. I have a few of similar style, although not one with a Panay hilt. Brass on the scabbard seems to be a consistent feature on many of these. Mine were most likely from Davao City, where there is a strong Visayan presence. Like yours, mine are mostly straight and appear to have been made by the Maguindanao (which makes sense given their proximity to Davao City) and based on blades likely made in the late 19 or early 20th C. Yours looks as though it is from this period also.

I collected most of my bi-cultural examples of this type in Manila from a dealer who specialized in weapons from Mindanao, particularly via Davao City.

Ian.

[Sajen]

Most interesting kris! Congrats Charles for this new addition to your collection.

Regards,
Detlef