Philippine? ID, Please

derek · 20th February 2005, 07:45 PM

tom hyle · 20th February 2005, 09:32 PM

It looks Moro 2nd 1/2 of 20th

derek · 20th February 2005, 09:44 PM

Thanks, Tom. I thought so, but the turn of the grip seemed odd to me.
-d

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

It looks Moro 2nd 1/2 of 20th

Ian · 20th February 2005, 11:13 PM

Agree with Tom and Derek -- recent work from Mindanao. The brass on the hilt and scabbard are typical of late 20th C. work coming from Lanao del Sur and perhaps other areas in Muslim Mindanao. The scabbard and blade are a poor fit; possibly a marriage. The crooked hilt (of bone) is reminiscent of a kawali from Sulawesi. Bugis hilts are often similarly angled.

This style of crooked hilt is seen commonly on recent "Sultan's" kris from Mindanao, some of them quite well made and with decent materials. I have heard of two brothers in Lanao del Sur who specialize in making high end small kris, often using ivory and gold decorations. Some unscrupulous dealers in Manila attempt to sell their work as antiques for several thousands of dollars. Poor quality blades are the norm on these recently made pieces, and an important indicator for the careful buyer that these are not the real deal. Nice examples of modern craftmanship on the hilts and scabbards, just not antiques. Caveat emptor!

tom hyle · 20th February 2005, 11:25 PM

The pistol grip hilt is also perhaps related to gunong hilts.

Conogre · 23rd February 2005, 09:36 AM

Perhaps a dumb question, but of all of the Philippine weapons the ones that I've had the best chance to examine were latter pieces from the Lanao del sur region (30+) with many of them having elaborate culy-ques and twists, the pistol-grip hilt, bone/ivory hilts and such that I can't help wondering what older pieces from this region looked like?
To me, newer pieces from this region seem to have an Indonesian flavor that's uncharacteristic of Moro bladed weapons in general, but the large numbers of them with similar styles coming from different makers would seem to indicate that the tendency has been there for a considerable length of time.
Perhaps some of you that are from that area or who have travelled there can cast some light on it for me, particularly those who have or have seen older pieces with this origin?

moose · 23rd February 2005, 04:50 PM

One is used for "Exotic Effect" and is thrown and stuck missing it's target in the very beginning of the movie the Scorpion King.

Very similar with crooked Ivory hilt and all.

moose

20th February 2005, 07:45 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Philippine? ID, Please

20th February 2005, 11:13 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,029	Late 20th C. Mindanao kris Agree with Tom and Derek -- recent work from Mindanao. The brass on the hilt and scabbard are typical of late 20th C. work coming from Lanao del Sur and perhaps other areas in Muslim Mindanao. The scabbard and blade are a poor fit; possibly a marriage. The crooked hilt (of bone) is reminiscent of a kawali from Sulawesi. Bugis hilts are often similarly angled. This style of crooked hilt is seen commonly on recent "Sultan's" kris from Mindanao, some of them quite well made and with decent materials. I have heard of two brothers in Lanao del Sur who specialize in making high end small kris, often using ivory and gold decorations. Some unscrupulous dealers in Manila attempt to sell their work as antiques for several thousands of dollars. Poor quality blades are the norm on these recently made pieces, and an important indicator for the careful buyer that these are not the real deal. Nice examples of modern craftmanship on the hilts and scabbards, just not antiques. Caveat emptor!

20th February 2005, 09:32 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	It looks Moro 2nd 1/2 of 20th

20th February 2005, 11:25 PM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	The pistol grip hilt is also perhaps related to gunong hilts.

23rd February 2005, 09:36 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Perhaps a dumb question, but of all of the Philippine weapons the ones that I've had the best chance to examine were latter pieces from the Lanao del sur region (30+) with many of them having elaborate culy-ques and twists, the pistol-grip hilt, bone/ivory hilts and such that I can't help wondering what older pieces from this region looked like? To me, newer pieces from this region seem to have an Indonesian flavor that's uncharacteristic of Moro bladed weapons in general, but the large numbers of them with similar styles coming from different makers would seem to indicate that the tendency has been there for a considerable length of time. Perhaps some of you that are from that area or who have travelled there can cast some light on it for me, particularly those who have or have seen older pieces with this origin?

23rd February 2005, 04:50 PM	#7
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	One is used for "Exotic Effect" and is thrown and stuck missing it's target in the very beginning of the movie the Scorpion King. Very similar with crooked Ivory hilt and all. moose