Moro kris with silver sideplates
 

Here is a moro kris with silver sideplates with ukil engraving. Early 1900s blade that is 20 1/2 inches long. Top and bottom of scabbard is faced with tortoise shell with dot decoration. The back facing is engraved aluminum. The stone in the center I think is lapis with what appears to be flecks of gold. This stone might be used to ward off the "EVIL EYE", some kind of anting-anting..............Dave.

W :eek: W!

Where do you come up with this stuff!?!?

This is a great piece. To me it looks like the plates are made of swassa (unless it is the lighting on silver)! This kris also looks like a Maguindanao piece to me. Great inlay and metal work!

I agree with your analysis regarding the anting-anting on that mid-20th century scabbard.

Thanks for posting such great pieces! :D

Jose; It's the lighting. It's definitely not swassa. Kinda wish it was....Dave

Great piece Dave! How far back would you guys date this blade?

Beautiful kris Dave! But the plates at the scabbard are not from tortoise shell. It's thin carved buffalo horn IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

Simply gorgeous!
Steve

Simply gorgeous!
Steve

Detlef: On closer examination, you could be right. It does look like it could be carabao horn instead of tortoise shell......Dave.

Beuatiful sword Dave. I agree with Detlef on that the wrap on the scabbard it made from water buffalo horn and not tortoise shell. A question for the experts, is it normal for the fullers in the blade to extend to the tip of the blade like this or do you think that the tip of blade was possibly damaged and then ground back to remove the damaged area? Regardless of the answer, this is a wonderful example of Moro craftsmanship. Again, my congratulation to you on another exceptional find.

I don't know about "expert", but I give it a shot. I have seen both forms, although the lines running off the blade is a little rarer. At present, I think that it is a deliberate design.