Opinions: large Kris w/ intricate inlay

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.

another_rick · 19th March 2026, 08:22 PM

Thanks, David. What you're theorizing makes a lot of sense and fits with what I'm seeing.
I'll give it a good cleaning and go from there. Thanks again everybody.

Rick · 19th March 2026, 09:05 PM

I also notice that the ganja has been bashed pretty hard on its side near where the tang passes through. Is there evidence of the same on the other side?
I think we're looking at a repair here; no self-respecting Pande would have done that during manufacture.

another_rick · 19th March 2026, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I also notice that the ganja has been bashed pretty hard on its side near where the tang passes through. Is there evidence of the same on the other side?
I think we're looking at a repair here; no self-respecting Pande would have done that during manufacture.

Yes, but I'm quite sure those are wear marks from the baca baca. Hopefully this shows up clearly:

Battara · 20th March 2026, 01:51 AM

This blade is from the Maguindanao tribe. They make a lot of (if not all of) these blades. It looks like a separate ganga to me, but many times the fit is so tight that lines practically disappear.

Looks like there was one baka-baka.

The tang seems to have been broken off later, thus being short.

And they often did silver inlay on these naga blades.

Ian · 20th March 2026, 10:57 AM

I would need an X-ray to convince me that this gangya is separate rather than a couple of engraved lines with an extensive gap between. The most recent picture shows inlaid silver work passing across where a line of separation would be expected and there is no discontinuity of the inlaid sections to suggest any separation underneath. Speculation about the existence or not of a separation line is best answered with an X-ray, and that is a simple test. Kris without separate gangya are sometimes fitted with asang asang.

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19th March 2026, 08:18 AM	#1
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	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,303	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.

19th March 2026, 08:22 PM	#3
another_rick Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 11	Thanks, David. What you're theorizing makes a lot of sense and fits with what I'm seeing. I'll give it a good cleaning and go from there. Thanks again everybody.

19th March 2026, 09:05 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,441	I also notice that the ganja has been bashed pretty hard on its side near where the tang passes through. Is there evidence of the same on the other side? I think we're looking at a repair here; no self-respecting Pande would have done that during manufacture.

20th March 2026, 01:51 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,421	This blade is from the Maguindanao tribe. They make a lot of (if not all of) these blades. It looks like a separate ganga to me, but many times the fit is so tight that lines practically disappear. Looks like there was one baka-baka. The tang seems to have been broken off later, thus being short. And they often did silver inlay on these naga blades.

20th March 2026, 10:57 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,749	I would need an X-ray to convince me that this gangya is separate rather than a couple of engraved lines with an extensive gap between. The most recent picture shows inlaid silver work passing across where a line of separation would be expected and there is no discontinuity of the inlaid sections to suggest any separation underneath. Speculation about the existence or not of a separation line is best answered with an X-ray, and that is a simple test. Kris without separate gangya are sometimes fitted with asang asang.