MOP pommel kris

[Ian]

Hi battara:

If the general view of MOP on hilts is true, i.e. MOP is a decoration dating mostly to the second half of the 20th C., then the hilt may not be very old, although I think the blade is probably older than that.

The price seems more related to the inscription on this kris than the nice MOP-covered kakatua. If this kris was indeed a gift from a prominent datu (a buf "if' IMO), then the price may be appropriate. I hope Naga B. got a great deal.

Ian.

[Bill M]

Will let y'all know more when I get it. Accidently got in a last minute snipe bump with my good friends Dave and Lonna. They have one of the finest collections of Moro, mandau and Nias swords I have ever seen!

I am hoping the inscriptions prove out, but it was my wife that fell in love with this. I also know the seller and he is a really good guy. He bought this 20 years ago.

Getting more interested in quality Moro kris. Email me if you have some that you would like to sell.

You may see another post here of an older one of mine that Dave thinks may be 17th c.

[mross]

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

but it was my wife that fell in love with this.

Bill,
On the kris, nice grab. Well worth the price. I was thinking about it but my wife would have killed me. She wants an entertainment center.

On your wife, please tell me what you are feeding her so I can get some
for my wife!!! She just looks at most of my stuff and says "It's just a
piece of steel" Women. You have a gem there, both the kris and the wife!

[kino]

Bill,Here is a Kris of mine that is somewhat similar to yours. I posted it once before. It has MOP scales over ivory. While your inscriptions read "Datu Mupar", my blade has "Datu Mudor", same person perhaps??? The dimensions is somewhat on the small side. Although I'm not very sure, I believe my blade is of one piece construction. It is well made, not touristy at all.

I too have witnessed Dave and Lonna's amazing collection of edged weapons. I think it's the best out there. If any of you ever get a chance to see it, you won't be disappointed.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by kino

Bill,Here is a Kris of mine that is somewhat similar to yours. I posted it once before. It has MOP scales over ivory. While your inscriptions read "Datu Mupar", my blade has "Datu Mudor", same person perhaps??? The dimensions is somewhat on the small side. Although I'm not very sure, I believe my blade is of one piece construction. It is well made, not touristy at all.

I too have witnessed Dave and Lonna's amazing collection of edged weapons. I think it's the best out there. If any of you ever get a chance to see it, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks Kino,

I hope that mine will be of good quality also. Will post some pictures when I get it.

Dave and Lonna have probably the finest collection of Nias Balatto (Lonna calls them "powerball" swords) in one place I have ever seen. Also a stellar collection of Mandau and Moro. They even have the Moro swords on the COVER of Cato's book!

AND a patterned blade kaskara that must have been made for a king.

BUT they just will not sell their really high end swords. And I don't blame them!

[mross]

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Thanks Kino,


Dave and Lonna have probably the finest collection of Nias Balatto (Lonna calls them "powerball" swords) in one place I have ever seen. Also a stellar collection of Mandau and Moro. They even have the Moro swords on the COVER of Cato's book!

Ok, I have to ask so please excuse my ignorance. Who are Dave and Lonna?

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by mross

Ok, I have to ask so please excuse my ignorance. Who are Dave and Lonna?

Dave and Lonna are very big in the ethnographic weapons arena. Particularly with the Nias, Moro, and Dayak.

They have been collecting 30 years or more.

A delightful couple, warm, caring and sharing. Anne and I spent an afternoon with them last year. Our dog, Chumley decided to make a Moro shield they had, all his. They were very gracious about cleaning it off. Dave really fell in love with Chumley, the black, white and tan spaniel.

They know EVERY high end collector and dealer in the world -- well maybe not in the world, but if a high end ethnographic collector or dealer has been around a few years, they willl know each other.

They live near San Fancisco. They travel to local knife and gun shows and set up incredible displays of edged weapons. Museum quality.

Their knowledge of these weapons is encyclopedic.

They sell good, quality pieces, in the $500 to $1,000 range.

They do not have a website, nor catalog, nor gallery. nor studio. I don't think that they travel anywhere outside driving range of San Farncisco. It woud be difficult to carry the load on an ariplane!

You will only be able to see their pieces by going to a gun or knife show. But Anne and I have considered making a trip to California just to see them at a gun show. They are that good.

Some day we hope to have a digital camera in their hands.

I do not have their permission to release their email address, but will ask them how people may contact them.

I hope to see some posts from them on this Forum. You hear that Lonna? Toodles from Bill, Anne and the doggies.