Moro Kris for comments

[VVV]

Here is a Kris I found in Berlin this Spring.
The work on the grip looks like some of the more recent stuff but it all has nice patina.
The blade is old with a lot of talismanic inlay.
All comments appreciated to help me understand more about this Kris.

Michael

[Flavio]

WWW WWW!!!!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by VVV

The work on the grip looks like some of the more recent stuff but it all has nice patina.


Michael

Very Nice. I'd guess the hilt work was done in the 1960's but the Ivory may be original. The sheath may have been done in the 60's too, hard to say from pics. Doubt much work, like this, was done in the 70's or later.

[VVV]

Thanks Bill and Flavio,

I also recognise that style as more recent. The ivory for sure is much older as you also suspected.
But what is strange is that both I and the dealer, who is a quite experienced arms dealer even if his speciality isn't SE Asian blades, thought that the patina on both looked much older (like early 20th C).
Has that kind of work on the grip existed before the 50's?

Michael

[Battara]

VVV....

NICE PIECE!

Yes I agree with Bill and Flavio that that the metal work on the scabbard and hilt are later than the rest. The okir was being done before 1950s but the filigree style was not. This is definitely a datu piece and possibly Sulu (or even Maguindanao). Sulu did more of that type of filigree but the okir bands are more Maguindanao. I need to go to Berlin to get good pieces it seems.....

Congratulations!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by VVV

But what is strange is that both I and the dealer, who is a quite experienced arms dealer even if his speciality isn't SE Asian blades, thought that the patina on both looked much older (like early 20th C).
Has that kind of work on the grip existed before the 50's?

Michael

I have no idea of a time line for the work. I based my opinion on a few swords I have, with some limited providence. I have one kris with very simular work that is from the 60's. Another that goes back to the 40's has a poorer quality that I (maybe incorrectly) assumed was early development. Battara may want to comment on patina. Not sure it is accurate for true dating. 1 good cleaning and 100 years disappears + different metal & conditions vary. The reason I don't think it goes as far as the 70's, is that conflict (going on again now) in the South diminished/disrupted metal work. But one craftsman may easily have a 40-50 year accumulation of work & a family, even longer. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if yours wasn't done by the same person as did mine.

[VVV]

Thanks Jose and Bill,

So the filigree and scabbard work is earliest 50's, probably 60's.
But now I am confused if it's Sulu or Maguindano?
And do you have any comments on the inlay and the blade?
On Berlin, this was the only Moro blade I found there, except a few old Kampilans.

Michael

[Bill]

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks Jose and Bill,

So the filigree and scabbard work is earliest 50's, probably 60's.
But now I am confused if it's Sulu or Maguindano?
And do you have any comments on the inlay and the blade?
On Berlin, this was the only Moro blade I found there, except a few old Kampilans.

Michael

I think it's a Sulu mid 19C blade. The flower may be the lotus blossom. The other symbols, I'm not sure but they represent swiftness. Some Muslims believed that depicting animal forms was wrong, so it may be a interpetation of a crocodile. It looks like a fine sword & ivory would always be a luxury material; then a 100 years later someone again honors the sword with the filigree hilt, also a luxury. So it comes from a member of the Moro Gentry, shame it's history may be lost.

[CharlesS]

Gorgeous!!... Michael, regardless of its composition portions.