Newly Acquired Ivory-hilt Datu Kris
 

I recently acquired this ivory hilt datu kris from an online auction. Pictures are from the auction site. It seems to me that the hilt bands maybe made of alternating suassa and gilded filigree.

I have done some cleaning on the ivory pommel and the rest of the hilt once I received the kris. I have taken photos of it together with my previous datu kris which I think also has a suassa hilt. Pardon the rather poor quality of the following pictures, I cannot take pictures outside in the sun as the weather has been dreadful the past few days.

With my older datu kris sword.

Hello Algelan,

This Maguindanao blade seems to exhibit hints of a separate gangya on both sides - well hidden though. Can you ascertain where the angled line is ending?

The grip bands look like 20th century Maranao work to me - maybe post-WW2?
BTW, any chance to have it tested by a jeweller?

Regards,
Kai

Thanks for the reply Kai.

I agree that the hilt looks like mid-20th century work, with the filigree decoration. And the size of ivory pommel is massive, easily the biggest one I have acquired so far (5 inches across) and is something I have seen in post 19th century danganan krises. It does have a line of demarcation along the gangya but it is quite faint. I have not been to any jeweler to test the hilt bands yet though.

Additional pictures showing the gangya and another one marking the gangya line.

Looks high quality to me. :) Congrats!

Fernando

Thanks Fernando. I feel lucky to have won this one and at a relatively moderate price at that as this type usually commands a four figure price tag. It is also quite remarkable that it has only minimal losses to the filigree and the ivory pommel is fully intact. The blade has a significant chip to one side though.

Very nice 20th century piece, I am green with envy! ;)

Regards,
Detlef

Thanks Detlef, it is a nice piece indeed and a bit hard to get in such a fine condition. :)

Indeed! :) But you have given it a very good maintenance! ;)