A Very Old Kris

[Ian]

Hi Xas,

Another lovely piece from your growing collection. Excellent blade with characteristics of pre-1800 manufacture. Whether pre-1700 is difficult to know, but the circular tang might suggest that. Perhaps carbon dating of the ivory pommel might help, but the pommel could have been added later or the part of the tusk from which the pommel came may have predated the animal's death by several decades.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Xas,


Another lovely piece from your growing collection. Excellent blade with characteristics of pre-1800 manufacture. Whether pre-1700 is difficult to know, but the circular tang might suggest that. Perhaps carbon dating of the ivory pommel might help, but the pommel could have been added later or the part of the tusk from which the pommel came may have predated the animal's death by several decades.

Thanks for the kind words Ian! I'm also on the fence just what percentage of the hilt is original. That's the tricky part about ascertaining the age estimate, I guess- different parts may have different ages, especially among the Moro as they were no strangers to repairing and maintaining their pusaka blades throughout the ages. Although I've no doubt that the blade would be the oldest part of this piece.