Moro kris or Indonesian keris?

A. G. Maisey · 2nd January 2022, 04:25 AM

If I ignore the dress, what I believe I can see is a Javanese keris, North Coast, tending to the west.

To my mind, nothing at all unusual in this.

Majapahit was trading weapons all over SE Asia, and as far west as Sri Lanka, Tuban on the North Coast of Jawa was a port renowned as a supplier of weapons, but waved blades that display Tuban characteristics are very rare.

The straight gonjo is what causes me to think more to west, but along the north coast.

Possibly Cirebon to Banten.

There is a type of keris that comes from Brunei that looks a bit like this, but this one under discussion does not seem to be sufficiently refined to be one of these Brunei blades.

Sajen · 2nd January 2022, 09:30 AM

Hello Kai, Ian and Alan,

Thank you all for your comments! So it seems that it is a West Javanese blade which found its way to the Philippines and got redressed there.
The first one I've seen until now!

My disappointment that I wasn't the winner grow!

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 2nd January 2022, 09:42 AM

BTW, here was shown some time ago kris with figural handles which remind me of the handle from this piece but I can't find it.

David · 3rd January 2022, 09:21 PM

I believe this auction was won by a member here. I will see if I can get them to join the discussion.

VVV · 4th January 2022, 07:22 AM

Hi all,

I am the guilty one of snatching this keris from Detlef.
I agree that the blade is Javanese and the sheath is Moro.
The hilt is of the old half Jawa Demam-variation that is now and then found on kris swords from North Borneo and, even more rare, from very early collected kris from the Philippines.
My hunch is that his ensemble is a Javanese trade blade that was redressed in North Borneo.

Sajen · 4th January 2022, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I am the guilty one of snatching this keris from Detlef.

Hello Michael,

I don't hold a grudge!

Good that it went to the correct hands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I agree that the blade is Javanese and the sheath is Moro.
The hilt is of the old half Jawa Demam-variation that is now and then found on kris swords from North Borneo and, even more rare, from very early collected kris from the Philippines.

Thank you. Like said, somewhere is a thread where this hilt form is pictured in some examples, sadly I can't find it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

My hunch is that his ensemble is a Javanese trade blade that was redressed in North Borneo.

Agree with you. Are you planning to restore the blade?

Regards,
Detlef

VVV · 4th January 2022, 10:44 PM

Thanks,

No, I will not restore the blade or scabbard.
I can't find the old thread either but we both know what this hilt variation looks like. Here is one from Sejr Jensen's Kris Disk.

4th January 2022, 07:22 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi all, I am the guilty one of snatching this keris from Detlef. I agree that the blade is Javanese and the sheath is Moro. The hilt is of the old half Jawa Demam-variation that is now and then found on kris swords from North Borneo and, even more rare, from very early collected kris from the Philippines. My hunch is that his ensemble is a Javanese trade blade that was redressed in North Borneo. Attached Images

4th January 2022, 10:44 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks, No, I will not restore the blade or scabbard. I can't find the old thread either but we both know what this hilt variation looks like. Here is one from Sejr Jensen's Kris Disk. Attached Images

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2nd January 2022, 04:25 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	If I ignore the dress, what I believe I can see is a Javanese keris, North Coast, tending to the west. To my mind, nothing at all unusual in this. Majapahit was trading weapons all over SE Asia, and as far west as Sri Lanka, Tuban on the North Coast of Jawa was a port renowned as a supplier of weapons, but waved blades that display Tuban characteristics are very rare. The straight gonjo is what causes me to think more to west, but along the north coast. Possibly Cirebon to Banten. There is a type of keris that comes from Brunei that looks a bit like this, but this one under discussion does not seem to be sufficiently refined to be one of these Brunei blades.

2nd January 2022, 09:30 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Hello Kai, Ian and Alan, Thank you all for your comments! So it seems that it is a West Javanese blade which found its way to the Philippines and got redressed there. The first one I've seen until now! My disappointment that I wasn't the winner grow! Regards, Detlef

2nd January 2022, 09:42 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	BTW, here was shown some time ago kris with figural handles which remind me of the handle from this piece but I can't find it.

3rd January 2022, 09:21 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I believe this auction was won by a member here. I will see if I can get them to join the discussion.