Need help with Kris

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

I will also note that the copper clamp (baka baka in Maguindanao) has a nicely chased pattern - best I've ever seen. There is a possibility that the pattern is acid etched - better pictures might better determine it is truly chased or etched.

I don't think this pattern is chased. Chasing involves hammering from the reverse side of the metal to push out the pattern on the facing side of the metal. This does not look anything like that to me and the copper is probably too thick for that technique in any case. It could be acid etched i suppose, or simply engraved.
It is a beautiful baca-baca regardless.

[Battara]

Actually repousse is from the back then front.

But with the close ups I do agree David that this baka-baka is acid etched. As Chopstick_minh said the designs are not deep enough.

On the blade itself, the work is most likely chased with tempered steel tools (though sometimes engraving is done....)

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

Actually repousse is from the back then front.

But with the close ups I do agree David that this baka-baka is acid etched. As Chopstick_minh said the designs are not deep enough.

On the blade itself, the work is most likely chased with tempered steel tools (though sometimes engraving is done....)

Ah yes, you are correct. I confused myself because repossesse and chasing are often used in conjunction with each other. My bad.

[David]

José, i would image that this baca-baca would be an example of chasing. This one is suassa.

[Battara]

Oh yes David. Nice example. Suassa? - very nice. And looks Maguindanao.

And yes chasing is part of repousse, and some chasing work can look like repousse, so the confusion is quite understandable.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

Oh yes David. Nice example. Suassa? - very nice. And looks Maguindanao.

And yes chasing is part of repousse, and some chasing work can look like repousse, so the confusion is quite understandable.

Yes, i have been considering it Maguindanao at least as long as i have understood the differences in Moro styles.
To be honest i have never had the metal tested. But this kris has been in my collection longer than any other. It is in fact the very first ethnographic weapon i ever bought and i have had it since 1982. In almost 40 years i have never had to clean any tarnish off this bit of metal and the colour is right for suassa (though not as coppery as some), so i believe it is a fair bet that it contains a reasonable amount of gold content. It is also a rather high end piece and all the other beautifully crafted fitting are high content silver, so suassa would be fitting.

[Battara]

Oh I'm sure it does, as well as a little more silver in it than others based on the hue of the color.