MARANAO KRIS (LARGE)

[tanaruz]

Hi friends,

Here's a kris that seems to be quite large. Actually the largest in our collection. The OAL is: 36 inches, with a blade: 29 inches.

This kris came from Lanao. And in all possibility, a Tugaya piece. Could this be ceremonial kris?

Here are some points on the item:

1) the pommel: claims to be made from animal bone (it has small, short unparallel lines, and not continuous (Haversian system); the seller does not know what kind of bone;

2)Hilt: silver (had it tested)
3)Baka-baka/asang-asang : silver, tested
4) scabbard: fine hardwood material; silver clamps
5) Blade: presence of brass/bronze dots (from the baka-baka area to the near tip of the blade)

Questions:

a) is this Maranao ceremonial kris? If so, what kind of ceremony is this type being displayed?

b) possible age?

Appreciate all inputs and thanks in advance,

Enjoy and kind regards,

Yves

[David R]

The pommel looks more like polished horn to me, going by the photo's.

[Battara]

This is a Maranao 1960s-1980s kris.

[Ian]

Yves,

Even though this is a mid- to late-20th C piece, it is well made and in the traditional Maranao style (except for the kakatua pommel which is a modern interpretation). The decorated silver grip is nicely engraved with okir and the two silver asang asang are also well done. The blade looks second half of the 20th C to me. The "peaks" of the waves are quite pointed, but the luk have been forged, I think, rather than created by stock removal (see Cato on this feature, and his term "graceless luk"). This pointy feature suggests manufacture post-1930. The scabbard is traditional Maranao work.

I'm interested in this sword because I have a similar one in typical Sulu dress. If you would like to post another full length picture of yours out of its scabbard, perhaps taken outside in bright shaded light and on the blue background, I will post a picture of mine for comparison and I think we will see some key differences in Maranao and Sulu styles of kris/kalis from the second half of the 20th C.

[David]

I agree that this kris is very nicely crafted, but would put it more at the very end of the 20th century. It could even be early 21st century.
My take on this is that it is more likely a high end souvenir piece than anything made for legitimate cultural use such as a ceremony. This is not a criticism per se, just an observation on who would be most likely to be the first owner of such a kris.

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by Ian

Yves,

Even though this is a mid- to late-20th C piece, it is well made and in the traditional Maranao style (except for the kakatua pommel which is a modern interpretation). The decorated silver grip is nicely engraved with okir and the two silver asang asang are also well done. The blade looks second half of the 20th C to me. The "peaks" of the waves are quite pointed, but the luk have been forged, I think, rather than created by stock removal (see Cato on this feature, and his term "graceless luk"). This pointy feature suggests manufacture post-1930. The scabbard is traditional Maranao work.

I'm interested in this sword because I have a similar one in typical Sulu dress. If you would like to post another full length picture of yours out of its scabbard, perhaps taken outside in bright shaded light and on the blue background, I will post a picture of mine for comparison and I think we will see some key differences in Maranao and Sulu styles of kris/kalis from the second half of the 20th C.

Hello Sir,

Here are some pics with the blue background. I've just placed together my used blue flannel cloth to fit the entire kris.

I was waiting for an opportunity to take some pics when there is adequate sunshine, but it's always raining and dark skies. Pretty much scenario for our annual rainy season.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Yves