kris Maranao named

[tanaruz]

Hi,

A recent acquisition: a Maranao kris with a person's name engraved. The seller claimed this piece to be of Maguindanao (age: approx 70 years old). But looking at the 'elephant part' of the kris it points to it being of Maranao origin (pls correct me if im wrong).

We'll try to research the name on the blade.

Kind regards,

Yves

[Ian]

The blade and dress point to Maguindanao origin I think. The space enclosed by the elephant trunk is circular and the trunk is horizontal. This usually suggests a Maguindanao origin. The absence of side extensions on the sampir is mostly a Maguindanao trait. The minimalist shape of the kakatua pommel is also seen on some post WWII Maguindanao kris. I agree with your estimate of age.

[tanaruz]

Thank you Ian.

Warmest regards

Yves

[Sajen]

I think that the blade is older than 70 years!

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I think that the blade is older than 70 years!

The blade could be a bit older. The dress looks mid-20th C.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

The blade could be a bit older. The dress looks mid-20th C.

Agree regarding the dress but the blade has a separate gangya so it will be antique I guess.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Hi Detlef.

A separate gangya occurred on some Moro kris blades made in the second half of the 20th C, and even on blades made today by traditional panday. Malayan blades still preserve a separate gangya on their large kris form.

I suspect that Yves' blade may date from the 1930s-1940s. The markedly V-shaped tip is a post-1900 feature. The "arrow head" carved areas have flat grooves with square shoulders, suggesting to me the use of power tools to create them. A similar arrow head appearance occurs sometimes on Malayan kris blades from the mid-1900s and later (I am using kris to refer to the large, Moro-like, Malayan kris, not to Malayan keris).

Despite being relatively recent, the various styles of 20th C Moro kris have not been dated precisely.

[tanaruz]

Hi friends,

much thanks for these inputs. Appreciate it.

Yves

[David]

I also feel this one is older than 70 years old. I used to have a very similar kris to this that was once Federico's Moro Sword website. I have always thought this one was at least pre-WWII.

[Battara]

I once owned this piece, with a separate ganga, so yes I'd put it at early 1900s, and Maguindanao in origin.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

I once owned this piece, with a separate ganga, so yes I'd put it at early 1900s, and Maguindanao in origin.

Yes, i knew that. I bought it from Ron (Spunjer) many years ago and sold it 7 or 8 years ago, possibly to someone else on these forums (i can't quite remember). It really gets around.
I do remember how freakin' sharp the edge was on this blade was. It cut my palm rather deeply when i first met it as i first withdrew it from its sheath. Felt i really had to buy it at that point. LOL!

[Battara]

Yes - "freakishly sharp"!

In fact, I twirled it with another sharp kris in a sword demonstration and it cut a piece of paper hanging freely from a string in the ceiling.

[DaveF]

Originally Posted by David

Yes, i knew that. I bought it from Ron (Spunjer) many years ago and sold it 7 or 8 years ago, possibly to someone else on these forums (i can't quite remember). It really gets around.
I do remember how freakin' sharp the edge was on this blade was. It cut my palm rather deeply when i first met it as i first withdrew it from its sheath. Felt i really had to buy it at that point. LOL!

You sold it to me and I still have it. I think you warned me to take care when withdrawing it from its sheath, which has probably saved me some bloodshed. It's certainly sharp!

[werecow]

Kevlar working gloves are your friends.

[Battara]

Very true, as well as kevlar clothing......