Opinions: large Kris w/ intricate inlay

Ian · 18th March 2026, 06:19 PM

Hello another_rick.

Welcome to the Ethnographic Forum! As Rick has noted, this is an example of a Moro kris. It has a complicated inlaid pattern that is very unusual.

I don't think this is an 18th C blade, but rather late 19th or even early 20th C. judging from its width and the way the terminal luk and tip have been constructed. The dark patina and mild surface pitting suggest that the blade has not been well maintained over the last century or so.

Of note is the very short tang. It is possible that this is a broken tang, but short tangs such as this one were made that way on some early 20th C kris. I do n ot see a separate gangya, and the tang has been welded directly to the gangya rather than passing through it. Again, this suggests 20th C work.

We need some help from our Filipino colleagues to explain the significance of the motifs on this blade. Some of them appear to be influenced by a naga (snake).

Regards, Ian

P.S. My post and Detlef's crossed. I'm pleased we agree on the dating. I also agree that the blade would benefit greatly from cleaning.

Gustav · 18th March 2026, 06:40 PM

I agree with the dating and everything, except with the Gangya issue - this blade has a separate Gangya.

A very nice blade for its type.

another_rick · 18th March 2026, 07:19 PM

Thanks all for the feedback.
I too thought the ganya was separate and agree with the naga influence, hence, my original assessment.
More photos of the underside with different lighting. I don't see evidence of modern welding but forging, perhaps.
The closeup (60X) is the face of the pesi/tang, at juction/joint with blade/ganya.
Thanks again,
Rick

Sajen · 18th March 2026, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

I agree with the dating and everything, except with the Gangya issue - this blade has a separate Gangya.

Jep!

werecow · 18th March 2026, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Of note is the very short tang. It is possible that this is a broken tang, but short tangs such as this one were made that way on some early 20th C kris.

That does not seem very sturdy... Would a kris with a tang that short have had baca baca for reinforcement?

Gustav · 18th March 2026, 11:06 PM

The tang was longer originally, of course

werecow · 19th March 2026, 12:09 AM

Yeah in this case it looks like it would have been longer originally. But I guess I'm asking in the abstract, given what Ian said.

Rick · 19th March 2026, 02:35 AM

I'm trying to figure out how the fitment was achieved at the intersection of tang and gonjo.

another_rick · 19th March 2026, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm trying to figure out how the fitment was achieved at the intersection of tang and gonjo.

Me too. Here's another angle.

To my eye, it passes through the gonjo. The tang thickness steps down after emerging from gonjo, and there is heavy peening on that fillet, all around. (I think this is what's getting confused for weld marks.)

Is there a way to confirm this one way or another?

Thanks again.

Gustav · 19th March 2026, 08:18 AM

I have seen examples of these Naga kris, where Baca Baca even weren't attached to the hilt, and that likely was original setting. So they can be purely decorative.

As is the case with one Detlef posted.

David · 19th March 2026, 07:29 PM

Hi (Another) Rick and welcome to the forum. Please note that i changed the spelling in your title from "keris" to "kris" to avoid confusion amongst our members. In at least this corner of the collecting universe we have adopted the spelling "kris" for the slashing blades that come from the Moro in Philippines. There is a Malay version of this style of sword, but that is generally referred to as a "sundang". Yours seems to clearly be of the Moro variety.
Regarding the gangya, i can see why some have called it one piece with the blade while others think it has a separate gangya. My theory is that it was born separate, but appears to have been welded later. It looks to me like a repair was done at some time. The tang obviously broke off at the end. It is possible it also broke where it meets the blade as well. To me it looks like it does indeed pass through the gangya, but it has also been welded into place. Welding the gangya to the blale might also make sense in this kind of repair in order to hold the who thing together. Of course if i were holding the kris i might have a different opinion about it.
I'd say it in early 20th century and was once a nice example of it's kind. If you have the skills it would be worth restoring . If it were mine i would either make or obtain a hilt for it at the very least. There are some people on this forum who might be able to help or advice you if you choose to restore the silver inlay.

18th March 2026, 06:19 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,736	Hello another_rick. Welcome to the Ethnographic Forum! As Rick has noted, this is an example of a Moro kris. It has a complicated inlaid pattern that is very unusual. I don't think this is an 18th C blade, but rather late 19th or even early 20th C. judging from its width and the way the terminal luk and tip have been constructed. The dark patina and mild surface pitting suggest that the blade has not been well maintained over the last century or so. Of note is the very short tang. It is possible that this is a broken tang, but short tangs such as this one were made that way on some early 20th C kris. I do n ot see a separate gangya, and the tang has been welded directly to the gangya rather than passing through it. Again, this suggests 20th C work. We need some help from our Filipino colleagues to explain the significance of the motifs on this blade. Some of them appear to be influenced by a naga (snake). Regards, Ian P.S. My post and Detlef's crossed. I'm pleased we agree on the dating. I also agree that the blade would benefit greatly from cleaning. Last edited by Ian; 18th March 2026 at 06:29 PM.

18th March 2026, 07:19 PM	#3
another_rick Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 11	Thanks all for the feedback. I too thought the ganya was separate and agree with the naga influence, hence, my original assessment. More photos of the underside with different lighting. I don't see evidence of modern welding but forging, perhaps. The closeup (60X) is the face of the pesi/tang, at juction/joint with blade/ganya. Thanks again, Rick Attached Images

19th March 2026, 02:35 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,432	I'm trying to figure out how the fitment was achieved at the intersection of tang and gonjo. Attached Images

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18th March 2026, 06:40 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,346	I agree with the dating and everything, except with the Gangya issue - this blade has a separate Gangya. A very nice blade for its type.

18th March 2026, 11:06 PM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,346	The tang was longer originally, of course

19th March 2026, 12:09 AM	#7
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 679	Yeah in this case it looks like it would have been longer originally. But I guess I'm asking in the abstract, given what Ian said.

19th March 2026, 08:18 AM	#10
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,346	I have seen examples of these Naga kris, where Baca Baca even weren't attached to the hilt, and that likely was original setting. So they can be purely decorative. As is the case with one Detlef posted.

19th March 2026, 07:29 PM	#11
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,297	Hi (Another) Rick and welcome to the forum. Please note that i changed the spelling in your title from "keris" to "kris" to avoid confusion amongst our members. In at least this corner of the collecting universe we have adopted the spelling "kris" for the slashing blades that come from the Moro in Philippines. There is a Malay version of this style of sword, but that is generally referred to as a "sundang". Yours seems to clearly be of the Moro variety. Regarding the gangya, i can see why some have called it one piece with the blade while others think it has a separate gangya. My theory is that it was born separate, but appears to have been welded later. It looks to me like a repair was done at some time. The tang obviously broke off at the end. It is possible it also broke where it meets the blade as well. To me it looks like it does indeed pass through the gangya, but it has also been welded into place. Welding the gangya to the blale might also make sense in this kind of repair in order to hold the who thing together. Of course if i were holding the kris i might have a different opinion about it. I'd say it in early 20th century and was once a nice example of it's kind. If you have the skills it would be worth restoring . If it were mine i would either make or obtain a hilt for it at the very least. There are some people on this forum who might be able to help or advice you if you choose to restore the silver inlay.