Moro Kris for comments

D Wilke · 19th August 2007, 12:43 PM

Battara, I'm confused (which is not something new)

I had thought that all that filigree work came out of Central Mindanao.
All the previous kris that I've seen provenanced to Sulu had generally smaller blades, though I agree this blade looks Sulu (especially the eagle beaks slant) and that they generally had the horsehoof handle. Granted there are many exceptions and I've seen that small pommel on many, but I've not seen that filigree on any blade attributed to Sulu.

Could this have been an old Sulu blade and pommel that was redressed in the Central Mindanao style? I've seen several of that type (and own one) in many of the antique shops in the PI.

Dan

Battara · 20th August 2007, 08:07 PM

After my brain freeze, I remembered that Mindanao also used filigree too - I have a gunong with some. However, this style of filigree I have attributed to late Sulu in the past. Would you post some pictures of the shop examples you are mentioning please?

D Wilke · 22nd August 2007, 04:00 AM

Batara,

I'll look through my pictures when I get home. I know I have a barong, recently redressed in Jolo that has similar okir, but didn't see any of that type of filigree available on my last trip there nor any craftsmen capable of producing it. Of course Sulu is bigger than just the one island and many of the smaller ones are known for individual crafts but I didn't see anything resembling this type of filigree in the limited trips to the markets I was able to take.

Unfortunately I'm in the process of shipping my collection back to the States. Recent events and Japanese law have made me wary of keeping my collection here any longer.

Dan

Battara · 22nd August 2007, 08:06 PM

Helpful information, thanks.

Sorry to hear about your weaponry situation.

19th August 2007, 12:43 PM	#1
D Wilke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okinawa, JN Posts: 22	Filigree in Sulu? Battara, I'm confused (which is not something new) I had thought that all that filigree work came out of Central Mindanao. All the previous kris that I've seen provenanced to Sulu had generally smaller blades, though I agree this blade looks Sulu (especially the eagle beaks slant) and that they generally had the horsehoof handle. Granted there are many exceptions and I've seen that small pommel on many, but I've not seen that filigree on any blade attributed to Sulu. Could this have been an old Sulu blade and pommel that was redressed in the Central Mindanao style? I've seen several of that type (and own one) in many of the antique shops in the PI. Dan

20th August 2007, 08:07 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	After my brain freeze, I remembered that Mindanao also used filigree too - I have a gunong with some. However, this style of filigree I have attributed to late Sulu in the past. Would you post some pictures of the shop examples you are mentioning please? Last edited by Battara; 20th August 2007 at 08:21 PM.

22nd August 2007, 04:00 AM	#3
D Wilke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okinawa, JN Posts: 22	Batara, I'll look through my pictures when I get home. I know I have a barong, recently redressed in Jolo that has similar okir, but didn't see any of that type of filigree available on my last trip there nor any craftsmen capable of producing it. Of course Sulu is bigger than just the one island and many of the smaller ones are known for individual crafts but I didn't see anything resembling this type of filigree in the limited trips to the markets I was able to take. Unfortunately I'm in the process of shipping my collection back to the States. Recent events and Japanese law have made me wary of keeping my collection here any longer. Dan

22nd August 2007, 08:06 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Helpful information, thanks. Sorry to hear about your weaponry situation.