Moro keris ID

kai · 18th April 2009, 11:47 PM

Congrats, #1 looks like a sweet 19th c. piece with a diminutive ivory pommel! Could you please post dimensions of the blade and a close-up of its base (taken from directly above - not at an angle)? I like the fullered blade - definitely worth trying a mild etch. The hilt has nice silverwork features; the braiding shows a bit of wear which apparently has been fixed with some glue (probably in recent times). No problem, just be a bit careful when handling this nice piece!

#2 seems to be a genuine Moro kris with laminated blade. I believe the blade is from Sulu and (possibly early) 20th century; workmanship may point to a local, village-made piece. The laminations at the tip are not typical: I think the length may be due to a shortened blade. The glue at the base of the hilt as well as the non-standard attachment/repair of the asang-asang (aluminium?) may hint at a recent "restoration" or even redone hilt or pommel. The pommel is weird (only vaguely resembling late 19th c. Junggayan hilts from Sulu) and the use of this style as well as ivory IMVHO doesn't seem to fit the lower quality of the blade; also the rattan wrap is later and was probably done when attaching the current pommel.

Regards,
Kai

18th April 2009, 11:47 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Congrats, #1 looks like a sweet 19th c. piece with a diminutive ivory pommel! Could you please post dimensions of the blade and a close-up of its base (taken from directly above - not at an angle)? I like the fullered blade - definitely worth trying a mild etch. The hilt has nice silverwork features; the braiding shows a bit of wear which apparently has been fixed with some glue (probably in recent times). No problem, just be a bit careful when handling this nice piece! #2 seems to be a genuine Moro kris with laminated blade. I believe the blade is from Sulu and (possibly early) 20th century; workmanship may point to a local, village-made piece. The laminations at the tip are not typical: I think the length may be due to a shortened blade. The glue at the base of the hilt as well as the non-standard attachment/repair of the asang-asang (aluminium?) may hint at a recent "restoration" or even redone hilt or pommel. The pommel is weird (only vaguely resembling late 19th c. Junggayan hilts from Sulu) and the use of this style as well as ivory IMVHO doesn't seem to fit the lower quality of the blade; also the rattan wrap is later and was probably done when attaching the current pommel. Regards, Kai