Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 2nd June 2013, 11:29 AM   #1
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default Maguindanao nobility kris

Dear All,

these are becoming increasingly rare (unless you regulary have a possibility to visit American flea markets or a museum in Europe is getting closed , sad but true).

Interesting is the inserted suasa dot near the end of the middle groove. It doesn't go through the blade. Maybe it covers a pitting or some other fault, yet the area around it is quite clean, except for another round and shallow immersion of the same size. Wonder, if you have seen something similar.

Hilt wrapping is quite nice.

I wanted to take a chance and ask, if there are some new insights regarding the attribution of certain kris varieties to various Maguindanao and Maranao ethnic groups.
Attached Images
      
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2013, 02:13 PM   #2
CharlesS
Member
 
CharlesS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
Default

This is a quality piece from top to bottom and certainly fair to attribute it to nobility.

The mounts are outstanding. The inlay is done with skill and is more elegant than is sometimes seen, quite artistic, most especially the central panel.

The blade, minus a few foraging flaws, is very well executed, with the fuller being particularly crisp.

Lovely, magnificent, piece and congrats!!
CharlesS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2013, 08:39 PM   #3
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,410
Default

Hello Gustav,

can only repeat what Charles have written before, magnificent kris!

My best guess about the suassa dot: talismanic purpose? Maker mark?

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2013, 09:22 PM   #4
kino
Member
 
kino's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 966
Default

Gustav,It is indeed a kris for a nobleman. Congrats on an excellent find.
I wish it was as easy as visiting a U.S. flea market and finding such a piece (unless your name happened to be Spunjer). I've been to many flea markets with expectations of finding treasures and 99% of the time exiting the place with empty hands.

On the suassa dot on the blade, I'm leaning towards a forging flaw cover up. If the indentation was intentional, I think that it would have been placed in the center...my 0.02.
kino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2013, 10:16 PM   #5
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

What a magnificent piece!

The blade impresses me most, one of the nicest I have ever seen!

On the dot on the blade - I suppose. I think it's hard to tell for sure really.

Regarding the distinctions between Maranao and Maguindanao - it is very difficult. Sometimes in okir they are identical, sometimes there are small subtleties. The blade differences are easier.

Yes definitely nobility. On the subject of flea markets, well, only one semi recent find for me, but that got stolen.......
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd June 2013, 10:30 AM   #6
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

Thank you all for your kind words!
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd June 2013, 02:39 PM   #7
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Default

Beautiful, beautiful kris, Gustav! can't add anymore that hasn't been said!!! definitely of Datu class. very elegant looking...
the swaasa dot is indeed an enigma. we could only guess on what it represent.
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.