View Full Version : A large auction lot of ivory hilted Moro kris and gunong
Ian
27th July 2025, 12:47 AM
This lot of 11 ivory-hilted kris and gunong was offered recently online by a Philippines auction site. Ten of the items appear to be 20th C pieces, while there is one kris in the center of the upper row that seems to have an earlier blade. The dress of these weapons is consistent with 20th C Maranao work, with silver and gold-washed mounts. I think the style of hilts and most of the scabbards is from the early 20th C, say 1920s-1930s.
An interesting collection of Moro weapons from a particular period. The seller of this lot was asking a high price for the collection. It did not sell. The price and ivory content may have discouraged overseas' bidders.
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Rick
27th July 2025, 01:27 AM
Did anyone bid on these Ian?
Ian
27th July 2025, 01:36 AM
No Rick. The lot was passed without a bid. I will PM the listing to you.
milandro
27th July 2025, 09:09 AM
in most countries Ivory is now a no go to buy and officially import , even if form before 1947
I have posted before on the subject
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28015&highlight=ivory+milandro
in the EU the only entities which can purchase ivory for a public sourced are museums
there is a very good chance that even transporting agencies would refuse handling ivory items
xasterix
27th July 2025, 11:30 AM
in most countries Ivory is now a no go to buy and officially import , even if form before 1947
I have posted before on the subject
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28015&highlight=ivory+milandro
in the EU the only entities which can purchase ivory for a public sourced are museums
there is a very good chance that even transporting agencies would refuse handling ivory items
It's not so difficult to receive ivory, from a Filipino POV (importation, incoming). However, it's very difficult- or probably even impossible- to export ivory (PH to other countries).
milandro
27th July 2025, 01:19 PM
not in Europe
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_6888
most couriers would simply refuse to transport too
Selling Ivory is only permitted for sale to museums in Europe so a private collector, these days , can only keep the stuff he has
Frankly speaking a lot of people I know avoid Ivory and the results of the sale show it too
a Cites certificate is NOT sufficient anymore
"...Import of ivory is prohibited, except for very narrow exemptions. It is only permitted under strict conditions for pre-1975 musical instruments, and for antiques (artefacts from before 1947) if sold to a museum..."
So, In EUROPE the only people who can import and sell any Ivory can ONLY do so if selling to a MUSEUM that is if they want to do it LEGALLY
This makes buying Ivory practically valueless for an European buyer
Ian
27th July 2025, 01:21 PM
It's not so difficult to receive ivory, from a Filipino POV (importation, incoming). However, it's very difficult- or probably even impossible- to export ivory (PH to other countries).Hi Xas,
There is a significant risk importing any ivory-containing item into Australia. Like the U.S. and Europe, we have enforcement of CITES regulations and confiscation/destruction of ivory-containing items without the required certification, which is expensive and difficult to obtain. Thus, this lot would have been of little interest to (law-abiding) collectors in countries that enforce the CITES requirements.
Regards, Ian
P.S. Did you happen to know the collector who put this lot up for auction?
xasterix
27th July 2025, 01:41 PM
Hi Xas,
There is a significant risk importing any ivory-containing item into Australia. Like the U.S. and Europe, we have enforcement of CITES regulations and confiscation/destruction of ivory-containing items without the required certification, which is expensive and difficult to obtain. Thus, this lot would have been of little interest to (law-abiding) collectors in countries that enforce the CITES requirements.
Regards, Ian
P.S. Did you happen to know the collector who put this lot up for auction?
PH is also a CITES partner, but laws aren't enforced as much... 3rd world country nuances lol. I know the source collection of those blades, but not exactly who commissioned it (may have been an intermediary)
Ian
27th July 2025, 01:53 PM
Thanks Xas. Would you care to comment on the age and dress of these items?
Pertinax
27th July 2025, 01:56 PM
Are milk tusks also banned?
xasterix
27th July 2025, 07:20 PM
Thanks Xas. Would you care to comment on the age and dress of these items?
The blade on the middle has potential to be old, but i can't tell for sure because the gangya is obstructed. The leftmost and rightmost, I'm guessing are pre-WW2 at least. The dresses could have been made from 1920s-1970s.
Here's another kris from that collection, sorry i can't show the whole thing in deference to the owner. But you'll notice the dress is virtually the same- except this kris has a molar ivory pommel.
The ex-collector collected a massive number of pieces in Davao in the 1970s.
Ian
28th July 2025, 12:20 AM
Thanks for sharing that additional example Xas. Very much in the same style as the other ones shown here. The ex-collector must have had quite some collection. It's interesting that this style of Moro dress lasted until the 1970s. In my experience more common vintage items that come on the market often show plainer and less refined decorative work. The hilts and scabbards shown here look to be higher quality, and perhaps that's partly why I have not see them very often over the last 30+ years.
It would be interesting to know more about the Moro craftsmen who produced this high quality work and whether it was a single family or particular community that were responsible.
As an afterthought, those looking to sell these items might have more success through offering them in smaller, less expensive lots. I understand the desire to sell a sub-collection in a reasonably intact state, but in this case a major buyer failed to emerge.
Battara
28th July 2025, 02:31 AM
I will agree with your notations folks. Later than 19c pieces.
The style of okir and style of chasing work, though very good, is later as in WW2 and later.
That being said, I love the brass and silver chasing work on this last kris posted.
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