Kris behind glass

Lee · 29th September 2019, 05:03 AM

Here are a few images of a kris on display in an important museum. For now, I'll not prejudice the discussion with details from the museum's descriptive tag.

mariusgmioc · 29th September 2019, 10:21 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if the museum description is completely wrong.
I have seen so many already...

Kubur · 29th September 2019, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Here are a few images of a kris on display in an important museum. For now, I'll not prejudice the discussion with details from the museum's descriptive tag.

OK but you can prejudice us with your own thoughts...
As it is, it's a bit difficult to understand.
Marius the problem is not the museums but the curators.

kai · 29th September 2019, 03:14 PM

Well, it’s the museums, too: More often than not, the curators don‘t receive enough resources and allotted time to really do research work on the collections!

And since doing comparative in-depth studies on material culture has been considered out of vogue, too often folks with plainly unsuitable research interests have been appointed as curators...

Regards,
Kai

kai · 29th September 2019, 03:19 PM

Ok, Lee, I’ll bite.

From the pics, I’d suggest that this kris is Sulu and from the second half of the 19th century.

It seems to exhibit some unusual details though - looking forward to hearing more about it!

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 29th September 2019, 06:42 PM

I agree with Kai on the dating bus would suggest that this could be Maguindanao. The fret work on the ganga is Maguindanao and the “eagle/elephant” front part of the ganga is perpendicular to the ganga lines, though it might appear a little slanted.

The Igorot axe looks Bontoc to me (possibly early?).

The kampilan throws me. I can't see any okir on it. It does remind me of one from Borneo. Again I'm not sure of it's origin. I do like the tiger bell on it.

Ian · 30th September 2019, 09:46 AM

Hi Lee:

That's a nice example that has been very well cleaned and maintained. I agree with the comments so far, although I think the carving of the blade is exceptionally good for Moro work--very refined. This one could be Malay in origin, or the blade could even be from Bali and rehilted in the Moro style. I'd say this was owned by, or presented to, someone important.

Ian.

kai · 30th September 2019, 04:58 PM

Hello Jose,

Quote:

The fret work on the ganga is Maguindanao and the “eagle/elephant” front part of the ganga is perpendicular to the ganga lines, though it might appear a little slanted.

The last pic is taken at a slanted angle; the intermediate shot seems to be much better to assess the configuration at the base of the blade: For a later blade, the beak/trunk not being parallel to the gangya doesn’t seem to suggest a Maguindanao origin IMHO. Close call though...

Lee, any estimate of blade length?

Regards,
Kai

29th September 2019, 05:03 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Kris behind glass Here are a few images of a kris on display in an important museum. For now, I'll not prejudice the discussion with details from the museum's descriptive tag. Attached Images

29th September 2019, 06:42 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I agree with Kai on the dating bus would suggest that this could be Maguindanao. The fret work on the ganga is Maguindanao and the “eagle/elephant” front part of the ganga is perpendicular to the ganga lines, though it might appear a little slanted. The Igorot axe looks Bontoc to me (possibly early?). The kampilan throws me. I can't see any okir on it. It does remind me of one from Borneo. Again I'm not sure of it's origin. I do like the tiger bell on it. Last edited by Battara; 30th September 2019 at 04:40 AM.

29th September 2019, 10:21 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	I wouldn't be surprised if the museum description is completely wrong. I have seen so many already...

29th September 2019, 03:14 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Well, it’s the museums, too: More often than not, the curators don‘t receive enough resources and allotted time to really do research work on the collections! And since doing comparative in-depth studies on material culture has been considered out of vogue, too often folks with plainly unsuitable research interests have been appointed as curators... Regards, Kai

29th September 2019, 03:19 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Ok, Lee, I’ll bite. From the pics, I’d suggest that this kris is Sulu and from the second half of the 19th century. It seems to exhibit some unusual details though - looking forward to hearing more about it! Regards, Kai

30th September 2019, 09:46 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Hi Lee: That's a nice example that has been very well cleaned and maintained. I agree with the comments so far, although I think the carving of the blade is exceptionally good for Moro work--very refined. This one could be Malay in origin, or the blade could even be from Bali and rehilted in the Moro style. I'd say this was owned by, or presented to, someone important. Ian.