Kris sundang in London
 

Been meaning to post this for a while. Spotted in antique/junk shop in London. Vendor did not know what it is (but attached a very serious price to it nonetheless). In place of original pommel someone had attached a modern silver necklace and some hallmarked British silver nob thing. Shame; original hilt ensemble seems to have been rather nice. Lovely blade with wonderful patina; no dress. Any idea of age/location?

Hello Adam,

This is a Malayan sword rather than a Filipino Moro blade. As you know, Malaya was under British rule for some time, and this probably explains why it ended up in London. It has a nice clean blade and patina suggesting it has some age. The "stirrups" (asang asang, baca baca) occur on some Malayan sundang, similar to what are found on Moro kris. Another Malayan feature is the small silver (?) ferrule which resembles a mendak seen on keris. Comparable Moro ferrules on kris are short and cylindrical, without the bulge seen on this hilt. I'm not sure if the rest of the hilt is original.

Age is hard to assess from pictures. I would guess 19th C or first half of 20th C. Malayan sundang are still being made.

Regard, Ian

I agree Ian, the rest is not original even to Malayan kris. Notice the top wrap is loose and doesn't match the bottom silver wire wrap (which also looks added on later), never mind that fact that it is glued on. The top looks like a silver British finial for furniture or maybe a cain.

In addition, the okir/ukkil floral motif is not Moro in style but Malay, never mind that Malayan bulge.

I will say though that the the silver clamps are Malayan in style in spite of the fact that I've never seen them chased in that pattern before.