Through these markigns, it is most interesting to note the importance placed on the Kris within the culture.

Personally I'd prefer a long and hefty Barong over a Kris in a fight but seeing how many Kris carry important cultural markings vs how many Barong, Kampilan and spears carry the same markings, it shows the importance of this weapon in it's cultural context.

Thanks to all who have shared their collections.

Gav

as far as it's in Arabic language,
it's a pleasure ... but here, it's not the case :shrug:

à +

Dom

ps/ I do not forget those who are on stand-by
need few time again ... ;)

Dom, maraming salamat! [many thanks!] :)

Inlaid blade on a junggayang kris.

Maurice, can you provide some photos of the scabbard? i notice the mark "XIIX". are there any more marks???

No, that is the only mark. ;-)

Michael

some more talismanic inlaid krises. enjoy!

the robotic kris, and another one:

i swear the kamagong ball pommel reminds me of an opium poppy. also, i might as well add the Sultan kris since i believe the mark on the blade could be considered as talismanic. and finally, a group picture...

Great examples Ron! You have been a busy boy! :D

I like that centipede type animal on one of those blades.

Would you post a picture of the whole sultan's piece please?

QUITE A NICE SELECTION. :D ARE THEY ALL FROM THE SAME MORO GROUP ,AND IF SO CAN WE ASSUME THAT GROUP USED TALSMANIC SYMBOLS ON THEIR BLADES MORE THAN OTHER GROUPS.?
I WONDER IF THE DESIGN I THINK OF AS A CENTEPEDE SUCH AS THE ONE ON YOUR BLADE IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE ONE ON WHAT YOU REFER TO AS THE ROBOTIC KRIS. THE INLAYED STAR SHAPES REPRESENTING THE LEGS AND THE DESIGN AT THE END REPRESENTING THE HEAD AS IT IS SIMULAR TO THE CENTEPEDE HEAD ON THE OTHER DESIGN.
HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES THAT MAY REPRESENT THE SAME CREATURE BUT IN 3 DIFFERENT WAYS ONLY ONE CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS A CREATURE WITH MANY LEGS AND A HEAD AND MOUTH. THE OTHER TWO PERHAPS IN THE ABSTRACT AS IS MORE COMMON TO ISLAM. WHAT DO YOU THINK.?

they belong from various ethnic groups. as far as the assumption that a particular tribe used more talismanic symbols than the other ones; it's impossible to tell, but as far as belief in the metaphysical, i would say they are all pretty even. this belief extends to the christian neighbors as well.

i think the stars appearing as legs could have just been a coincidence, barry. i have seen these two designs as separate entities. although the "Audi" pattern would be a good candidate for a more an even more abstract form of the Naga.

here it is Jose, i posted this i believe about a year ago.

two more talismanic blades

Beautiful Ron...nice showing... :)

Nice ones, Ron!!!

I am rereading Emelie Savage-Smith's great anthology Magic and Divination in Early Islam (2004) at the moment and found this statement in her introduction (page xix). I know some of the forumites hold the opinion that the Moros were isolated from Arabic culture. However, for those of us who don't think so this quote might be interesting to explain the scorpions and, especially, the dogs found on some Moro blades:

"Many of the pre-Islamic beliefs and practices were assimilated into the emerging Islamic culture. Pre- Islamic magical imagery featuring lions, serpents, and scorpions can be seen on several types of magical artefacts, such as amulets and magic-medicinal bowls. There was concern for sudden death (associated with the evil eye) - explaining a nexus of symbols (scorpion/serpent/mad dog) that occur on the earliest amulets, all of which could be interpreted as omens of sudden death."

Michael

thanks, mike and dave!
yes, indeed. this is somewhat in line with lorenz's thread, A sword design theory (Phil., Indonesia, & Malaysia). mixing the old beliefs with the newer ones.

Ron and Michael, many thanks!

Hi I like to share my old moro keris which have Talismanic symbols....and i like also to consult this sword about its age, whether it is 19th or 20th century..... by the way about the cloth cover of the sword i think it was put later on, but the wooden scabbard is quit look old already and its handle..

Sorry i didn't notice your comment earlier Michael, but a current thread sent me back here and i just noticed your response. To clear up your misconception, my use of the spelling "magick" is my way of distinguishing the commonly held idea of magic (hocus pocus stage magic and slight of hand) from it's more occult forms. Has nothing to do with Crowley. Sorry if this causes you confusion, but i will in all probability continue to use this spelling when discussing magick in this context. :)

David,

It was Aleister Crowley who defined (stipulated) the difference between the two kinds of magic (magic vs magick) you describe. I assumed in my comment that you were aware of this fact based on your interest in "magick". Obviously I was wrong on this. My comment that the term "magick" is semi religious of course presupposed that you were familiar with its background.

Michael

Sorry, overlooked your original posting. Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing this nice kris!

While adding it to this talismanic gallery is certainly warranted, I believe it would also deserve to be discussed in a seperate thread of its own - please also add dimensions and confirm that the sampir/gangya is seperate!

IMHO this kris is definitely Moro craftmanship: blade probably Maguindanao including the nice danganan hilt; the grip braiding with the exposed silver strips is reminiscent of the upper Cota Bato region. I'd estimate it originates from the last quarter of the 19th century. The textile and bead work on the scabbard is obviously Lumad - a closer look may allow to identify the tribe and period; the wooden scabbard also looks Lumad to me. Alas, a Moro kris that received a Lumad scabbard after changing owners on Mindanao. Congrats, nice find!

Regards,
Kai

Here's mine, relatively simple compared to the others on this thread. The blade is wide, but thin and flexible. The kris is very light.

My humble addition!

Hi Michael. Since Detlef has revived this thread i just noticed that i never responded to your last post to me. Yes, i am very familiar with Crowley's writings and that he is indeed credited with first making this spelling distinction (magick vs magic). So no, you were not wrong on this. However, it does not change the fact that personally i have chosen to adopt the spelling of magick with a "k" whenever i use the word when it is associated with "real" magick as opposed to stage magic such as slight-of-hand or other performance tricks. This distinction for me has little to do with what Crowley's chosen magickal practices were. It is simply a way to separate the spiritual from entertainment. Obviously magick squares have nothing to do with entertainment in this regard, so i will continue to use the spelling of magick with a "k" when i discuss these things. Sorry if folks find this confusing. :)
Also sorry this response took more than 10 years! LOL! :D

Adding a couple more :) heavy kris on the top/left, very light kalis on the bottom/right.