Maranao Short Sword
 

I thought I would revisit this short sword, overall 24". It was previously identified Maranao from the Lake Lanao region, but not nesesarily Moro. I recently found a similarly decorated, Mindanao, Maranao, Moro Kris at a well known website and thought this might give evidence to a Moro origin. I have not seen one exactly like it to date. Perhaps I can get some new opinions. Is this Moro or not?
Ian previously stated, "That is a very unusual decorative piece, and I think it is largely a blend of Moro and Visayan styles. The okir on the blade is pure Moro. The hilt is also a kakatua style (albeit a minimalist interpretation). The shape of the blade and S-shaped guard are more consistent with Visayan or Tagalog knives. The shape of the scabbard similarly suggests a Filipino Christian influence, possibly Visayan."
Conogre thought, "the hilt and guard shape make it look very much like a lake Maranao Moro ceremonial punal...."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0367.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0366.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0365.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0372.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0368.jpg

From the website

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...arnaokris1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...arnaokris2.jpg

I would say that it is modern Maranao work, using other influences in form and profile. The inlay and on the scabbard and the chasing on the blade are definitely Maranao, but again recent.

A WELL MADE INTERESTING AND ATTRACTIVE ITEM BUT SOMETHING IS A LITTLE FISHY. :D I LIKE IT

Oh Barry........hahahahahahahahahahahaha.......you kill me........... :rolleyes:

Straight out of the old tribal tackle box perhaps. :p
Rare fish beheading sword. :D

The Wifey surprised me for Christmas about 6 years ago. She saw it on e-bay and thought I'd like it. Got it for a good deal. At least it wasn't stamped with made in india. She doesn't buy me swords that often either. She's usually ready to hit me with a frying pan when I bring a new purchase home. I could have worse addictions than collecting. She should be happy. :)

Yeah, I admit I am fortunate. Although I say the word "sword" and her eyes glaze over, she still suggested that I display all my toys in one room of the house and even shows her friends when they come over.

Anyway, your "fishy friend" does have nice work in it. Recent, but nice. It's what has been coming out of Marawi City these days..........

I am not inclined to consider this a cockatoo style hilt, but rather that, especially in conjuction with the sheath, it represents a fish head. I don't know how it related to biology/what specie, but in SEAsian art, particularly cutlery handles, fish/dragons are represented with a long fin/crest on their head. I have a Visayan bowie with such a pommel (much more explicitly animal than this one). Remember a knife we saw a few weeks (? I often do not track time normally ?) from Indonesia/Malay-sia with a brass hilt and a fish head pommel with such a fin/crest, also perhaps seen on kastane?.....

Nice looking new Malay dagger, BTW. My experience of SEAsian cutlery old and new, oceanic and mainland, is that it tends to be of generally high quality.