Double-edged symmetrical blades with a 'pinched' portion near the hilt, and a 'swollen' part near the tip, are actually common in precolonial Philippines (pre-16th century).
The Boxer Codex painting (1590) shows Zambals of Luzon (northern Philippines) using such a blade. The excavated Cebu blade (central Philippines) shown is likewise precolonial. The subject kris was found in Bohol incidentally, and Bohol is Cebu's neighbor (they speak the same language).
Finally, the blade shown in the other pic is most probably precolonial, too.
Hence the subject kris with a very similar blade profile is very much Filipino in this respect.
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21st May 2011, 02:38 PM
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