Odd Visayan Ivory Kris Dagger?

Battara · 6th November 2012, 04:50 AM

This ended on ebay. I wonder if it is Visayan due to the nature of the wavy blade and the cross hatching on the back of the ivory hilt. The coin guard is 19th century Spanish silver. What puzzles me even more is the face carving pommel. Many Visayan hilts have faces carved into them and so does this one. However this face looks to be of Chinese influence to me.

It is a small dagger - what do you think?

Battara · 6th November 2012, 04:51 AM

Some more pictures:

nacho · 6th November 2012, 06:34 AM

I'm with you, Jose. It looks visayan. The face is similar to the "demon" designs (actually probably a stylized representation of the chinese fu dog) found in very old Philippine altar tables. The design is also seen in stone (in catholic churches). It is believe chinese artisans carved these decorations. That's why your blade handle also has a chinese feel.

The coin is the type commonly seen from the Spanish-era in the Philippines.

Here is another visayan sword with similar face, and also in ivory (or some kind of bone).

VVV · 6th November 2012, 07:05 AM

Here is another one with that hilt variation from the Military Museum in Madrid.
I have studied another one, like the one below, in a US collection and the face grip details of this kind of sword and your kris above are quite similar.

Michael

Nonoy Tan · 6th November 2012, 11:22 AM

The coin is intriguing. There are two Chinese characters on it. One is "Ta" and the other "Tien."

Nonoy Tan · 6th November 2012, 11:59 AM

The Chinese characters on the coin is perhaps evidence that the anthropomorphic design is originally Chinese (????), but not necessarily the same as the Visayan anthropomorphic design which may have a different origin.

Finding out what "ta" (big) and "tien" (sky) represents and why they were added to the Spanish coin may give a clue regarding the history of this dagger. The coin experts may know.

I am inclined to agree with Nacho that the hilt was perhaps made by Chinese artisans based outside China.

6th November 2012, 04:50 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Odd Visayan Ivory Kris Dagger? This ended on ebay. I wonder if it is Visayan due to the nature of the wavy blade and the cross hatching on the back of the ivory hilt. The coin guard is 19th century Spanish silver. What puzzles me even more is the face carving pommel. Many Visayan hilts have faces carved into them and so does this one. However this face looks to be of Chinese influence to me. It is a small dagger - what do you think? Attached Images

6th November 2012, 04:51 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Some more pictures: Attached Images

6th November 2012, 06:34 AM	#3
nacho Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makati Posts: 69	I'm with you, Jose. It looks visayan. The face is similar to the "demon" designs (actually probably a stylized representation of the chinese fu dog) found in very old Philippine altar tables. The design is also seen in stone (in catholic churches). It is believe chinese artisans carved these decorations. That's why your blade handle also has a chinese feel. The coin is the type commonly seen from the Spanish-era in the Philippines. Here is another visayan sword with similar face, and also in ivory (or some kind of bone). Attached Images

6th November 2012, 07:05 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is another one with that hilt variation from the Military Museum in Madrid. I have studied another one, like the one below, in a US collection and the face grip details of this kind of sword and your kris above are quite similar. Michael Attached Images

6th November 2012, 11:22 AM	#5
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The coin is intriguing. There are two Chinese characters on it. One is "Ta" and the other "Tien."

6th November 2012, 11:59 AM	#6
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The Chinese characters on the coin is perhaps evidence that the anthropomorphic design is originally Chinese (????), but not necessarily the same as the Visayan anthropomorphic design which may have a different origin. Finding out what "ta" (big) and "tien" (sky) represents and why they were added to the Spanish coin may give a clue regarding the history of this dagger. The coin experts may know. I am inclined to agree with Nacho that the hilt was perhaps made by Chinese artisans based outside China.