Non-Moro Filipino Kris Swords

Sajen · 22nd December 2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

USING THE SEARCH IN ARCHIVES, LOOK FOR "KRIS SWORD VARIATIONS" BY VANDOO POSTED 01-19-2004. THERE ARE PICTURES THERE OF A KERIS SAID TO BE OF VISIAN ORIGIN. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO A LINK OR I WOULD.

Hi Barry,

I think it is this one: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001969.html

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 23rd December 2011, 12:40 AM

VVV thanks for the upclose picture. I will say not Ilocano but Visayan for sure. The work on the hilt and the scabbard are signs of Visayan work. The blade is a little unusual I'll admit.

The bottom one I have seen before. Lumad pieces may mimic Moro hilts to a point but the blade I think is what is different. Especially the front of the ganga area. I am not saying that this is Lumad for sure, but it is not typical Moro either. Lumad pieces lend themselves to alterations more than Moro pieces it seems.

I know that the example in the old link is either Visayan or Visayan altered because of the scabbard and the unusual form of hilt. But was it a Moro trade piece? Don't know. Is yours Visayan? - hard to tell in the lack of more examples. Visayan altered? - that much is for sure.

The kris in the middle does look like a Moro blade that may have been modified. Again nothing is in stone here.

VVV · 23rd December 2011, 12:46 PM

Thanks Barry and Detlef for the interesting link. The first kris resembles my smallest in dress.
Jose, on the blade of the middle sword I agree that it resembles a Moro kris. But the size talks against it. The blade only is 26 1/4" (67 cm). If it once had a gangya too then the blade would have been maybe 29" (74 cm) which is much longer than the blade of a Moro kris. Even in this mount I find it a bit too long for optimal handling...

Michael

VVV · 26th December 2011, 09:14 AM

I received a private mail from one of the ex-members specializing in Filipino blades that were active in the linked thread from the old forum. He told me that all three of my kris come from Panay. He also shared some pictures of reference swords that resembled mine that also were made in different parts of Panay, both blades and dress. Some of them had similar gangya like the bottom kris.

Michael

Battara · 26th December 2011, 02:05 PM

I see what you mean about the second sword - took a better look at the link. Does not shock me that they are from Panay, especially the first one. Ilocanos did not generally make such hilts.

23rd December 2011, 12:40 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	VVV thanks for the upclose picture. I will say not Ilocano but Visayan for sure. The work on the hilt and the scabbard are signs of Visayan work. The blade is a little unusual I'll admit. The bottom one I have seen before. Lumad pieces may mimic Moro hilts to a point but the blade I think is what is different. Especially the front of the ganga area. I am not saying that this is Lumad for sure, but it is not typical Moro either. Lumad pieces lend themselves to alterations more than Moro pieces it seems. I know that the example in the old link is either Visayan or Visayan altered because of the scabbard and the unusual form of hilt. But was it a Moro trade piece? Don't know. Is yours Visayan? - hard to tell in the lack of more examples. Visayan altered? - that much is for sure. The kris in the middle does look like a Moro blade that may have been modified. Again nothing is in stone here.

23rd December 2011, 12:46 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Barry and Detlef for the interesting link. The first kris resembles my smallest in dress. Jose, on the blade of the middle sword I agree that it resembles a Moro kris. But the size talks against it. The blade only is 26 1/4" (67 cm). If it once had a gangya too then the blade would have been maybe 29" (74 cm) which is much longer than the blade of a Moro kris. Even in this mount I find it a bit too long for optimal handling... Michael

26th December 2011, 09:14 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I received a private mail from one of the ex-members specializing in Filipino blades that were active in the linked thread from the old forum. He told me that all three of my kris come from Panay. He also shared some pictures of reference swords that resembled mine that also were made in different parts of Panay, both blades and dress. Some of them had similar gangya like the bottom kris. Michael

26th December 2011, 02:05 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I see what you mean about the second sword - took a better look at the link. Does not shock me that they are from Panay, especially the first one. Ilocanos did not generally make such hilts.