Newly Acquired Ivory-hilt Datu Kris

Aslan Paladin · 25th June 2017, 07:21 PM

I have done some cleaning on the ivory pommel and the rest of the hilt once I received the kris. I have taken photos of it together with my previous datu kris which I think also has a suassa hilt. Pardon the rather poor quality of the following pictures, I cannot take pictures outside in the sun as the weather has been dreadful the past few days.

Aslan Paladin · 25th June 2017, 07:23 PM

With my older datu kris sword.

kai · 25th June 2017, 10:49 PM

Hello Algelan,

This Maguindanao blade seems to exhibit hints of a separate gangya on both sides - well hidden though. Can you ascertain where the angled line is ending?

The grip bands look like 20th century Maranao work to me - maybe post-WW2?
BTW, any chance to have it tested by a jeweller?

Regards,
Kai

Aslan Paladin · 26th June 2017, 05:00 AM

Thanks for the reply Kai.

I agree that the hilt looks like mid-20th century work, with the filigree decoration. And the size of ivory pommel is massive, easily the biggest one I have acquired so far (5 inches across) and is something I have seen in post 19th century danganan krises. It does have a line of demarcation along the gangya but it is quite faint. I have not been to any jeweler to test the hilt bands yet though.

Aslan Paladin · 26th June 2017, 05:09 AM

Additional pictures showing the gangya and another one marking the gangya line.

F. de Luzon · 26th June 2017, 06:36 AM

Looks high quality to me.

Congrats!

Fernando

Aslan Paladin · 26th June 2017, 07:21 AM

Thanks Fernando. I feel lucky to have won this one and at a relatively moderate price at that as this type usually commands a four figure price tag. It is also quite remarkable that it has only minimal losses to the filigree and the ivory pommel is fully intact. The blade has a significant chip to one side though.

25th June 2017, 07:21 PM	#1
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	I have done some cleaning on the ivory pommel and the rest of the hilt once I received the kris. I have taken photos of it together with my previous datu kris which I think also has a suassa hilt. Pardon the rather poor quality of the following pictures, I cannot take pictures outside in the sun as the weather has been dreadful the past few days. Attached Images

25th June 2017, 07:23 PM	#2
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	With my older datu kris sword. Attached Images

26th June 2017, 05:00 AM	#4
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Thanks for the reply Kai. I agree that the hilt looks like mid-20th century work, with the filigree decoration. And the size of ivory pommel is massive, easily the biggest one I have acquired so far (5 inches across) and is something I have seen in post 19th century danganan krises. It does have a line of demarcation along the gangya but it is quite faint. I have not been to any jeweler to test the hilt bands yet though. Attached Images

26th June 2017, 05:09 AM	#5
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Additional pictures showing the gangya and another one marking the gangya line. Attached Images

25th June 2017, 10:49 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Algelan, This Maguindanao blade seems to exhibit hints of a separate gangya on both sides - well hidden though. Can you ascertain where the angled line is ending? The grip bands look like 20th century Maranao work to me - maybe post-WW2? BTW, any chance to have it tested by a jeweller? Regards, Kai

26th June 2017, 06:36 AM	#6
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Looks high quality to me. Congrats! Fernando

26th June 2017, 07:21 AM	#7
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Thanks Fernando. I feel lucky to have won this one and at a relatively moderate price at that as this type usually commands a four figure price tag. It is also quite remarkable that it has only minimal losses to the filigree and the ivory pommel is fully intact. The blade has a significant chip to one side though.