Moro or Kalimantan ?

paolo · 18th February 2007, 06:37 PM

Hi all,
This piece comes from a private Dutch family; The weapon was confiscated by the Japanese during the Sumatra occupation in WWII. I need Your opinion about its origin. Moro or Kalimantan ?

Battara · 20th February 2007, 02:18 AM

I would lean more toward Kalimantan, especially based on the blade fullers, the "trunk" area, and the chiseling at the base of the blade.

kai · 20th February 2007, 11:10 PM

Hello Paolo,

I remember that one - nice catch!

Are there any indications that the elephant's trunk broke off?

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 21st February 2007, 02:26 AM

You know, Kai, that is a good question - missed that one.

paolo · 21st February 2007, 01:43 PM

Hi Kai,
To me the elephant's trunk seems intact.
Regards
Paolo

VVV · 21st February 2007, 03:27 PM

I have noticed that quite often swords that don’t look like "they should" per default gets labelled Borneo. On this forum it has happened several times to especially odd-looking Kampilan and Kris.
Alan Maisey once told me that he has experienced the same regarding unusual-looking Keris. The difference is that the Malays in coastal south Borneo actually produced Keris. But not with such a great variation of strange styles as sometimes is suggested.

As far as I have seen, and read, nobody has actually been able to prove that there really exists a special "Borneo look" to f.i. the Kris and the Kampilan?
None of them are indigenous Borneo weapons and were used by the immigrated, non-Dayak, Malay or Moro tribes.
I have tried to find proof in old sources of Kris being produced in Borneo.
But so far I have only found out that they were imported from mostly the Sulu Sultanate.

If somebody knows a good source as proof that this isn't the cause I would be happy if you could share it?

Michael

18th February 2007, 06:37 PM	#1
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Moro or Kalimantan ? Hi all, This piece comes from a private Dutch family; The weapon was confiscated by the Japanese during the Sumatra occupation in WWII. I need Your opinion about its origin. Moro or Kalimantan ? Attached Images

21st February 2007, 03:27 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	The wild swords from Borneo I have noticed that quite often swords that don’t look like "they should" per default gets labelled Borneo. On this forum it has happened several times to especially odd-looking Kampilan and Kris. Alan Maisey once told me that he has experienced the same regarding unusual-looking Keris. The difference is that the Malays in coastal south Borneo actually produced Keris. But not with such a great variation of strange styles as sometimes is suggested. As far as I have seen, and read, nobody has actually been able to prove that there really exists a special "Borneo look" to f.i. the Kris and the Kampilan? None of them are indigenous Borneo weapons and were used by the immigrated, non-Dayak, Malay or Moro tribes. I have tried to find proof in old sources of Kris being produced in Borneo. But so far I have only found out that they were imported from mostly the Sulu Sultanate. If somebody knows a good source as proof that this isn't the cause I would be happy if you could share it? Michael

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20th February 2007, 02:18 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I would lean more toward Kalimantan, especially based on the blade fullers, the "trunk" area, and the chiseling at the base of the blade.

20th February 2007, 11:10 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Paolo, I remember that one - nice catch! Are there any indications that the elephant's trunk broke off? Regards, Kai

21st February 2007, 02:26 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	You know, Kai, that is a good question - missed that one.

21st February 2007, 01:43 PM	#5
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Hi Kai, To me the elephant's trunk seems intact. Regards Paolo