Maranao Short Sword

Nagawarrior · 16th January 2011, 11:31 PM

I thought I would revisit this short sword, overall 24". It was previously identified Maranao from the Lake Lanao region, but not nesesarily Moro. I recently found a similarly decorated, Mindanao, Maranao, Moro Kris at a well known website and thought this might give evidence to a Moro origin. I have not seen one exactly like it to date. Perhaps I can get some new opinions. Is this Moro or not?
Ian previously stated, "That is a very unusual decorative piece, and I think it is largely a blend of Moro and Visayan styles. The okir on the blade is pure Moro. The hilt is also a kakatua style (albeit a minimalist interpretation). The shape of the blade and S-shaped guard are more consistent with Visayan or Tagalog knives. The shape of the scabbard similarly suggests a Filipino Christian influence, possibly Visayan."
Conogre thought, "the hilt and guard shape make it look very much like a lake Maranao Moro ceremonial punal...."

From the website

Battara · 17th January 2011, 06:30 AM

I would say that it is modern Maranao work, using other influences in form and profile. The inlay and on the scabbard and the chasing on the blade are definitely Maranao, but again recent.

VANDOO · 17th January 2011, 06:40 PM

A WELL MADE INTERESTING AND ATTRACTIVE ITEM BUT SOMETHING IS A LITTLE FISHY.

I LIKE IT

Battara · 17th January 2011, 07:01 PM

Oh Barry........hahahahahahahahahahahaha.......you kill me...........

Nagawarrior · 17th January 2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

A WELL MADE INTERESTING AND ATTRACTIVE ITEM BUT SOMETHING IS A LITTLE FISHY.

I LIKE IT

Straight out of the old tribal tackle box perhaps.

Rare fish beheading sword.

The Wifey surprised me for Christmas about 6 years ago. She saw it on e-bay and thought I'd like it. Got it for a good deal. At least it wasn't stamped with made in india. She doesn't buy me swords that often either. She's usually ready to hit me with a frying pan when I bring a new purchase home. I could have worse addictions than collecting. She should be happy.

Battara · 18th January 2011, 12:23 AM

Yeah, I admit I am fortunate. Although I say the word "sword" and her eyes glaze over, she still suggested that I display all my toys in one room of the house and even shows her friends when they come over.

Anyway, your "fishy friend" does have nice work in it. Recent, but nice. It's what has been coming out of Marawi City these days..........

tom hyle · 19th March 2011, 05:19 AM

I am not inclined to consider this a cockatoo style hilt, but rather that, especially in conjuction with the sheath, it represents a fish head. I don't know how it related to biology/what specie, but in SEAsian art, particularly cutlery handles, fish/dragons are represented with a long fin/crest on their head. I have a Visayan bowie with such a pommel (much more explicitly animal than this one). Remember a knife we saw a few weeks (? I often do not track time normally ?) from Indonesia/Malay-sia with a brass hilt and a fish head pommel with such a fin/crest, also perhaps seen on kastane?.....

tom hyle · 19th March 2011, 05:20 AM

Nice looking new Malay dagger, BTW. My experience of SEAsian cutlery old and new, oceanic and mainland, is that it tends to be of generally high quality.

16th January 2011, 11:31 PM	#1
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	Maranao Short Sword I thought I would revisit this short sword, overall 24". It was previously identified Maranao from the Lake Lanao region, but not nesesarily Moro. I recently found a similarly decorated, Mindanao, Maranao, Moro Kris at a well known website and thought this might give evidence to a Moro origin. I have not seen one exactly like it to date. Perhaps I can get some new opinions. Is this Moro or not? Ian previously stated, "That is a very unusual decorative piece, and I think it is largely a blend of Moro and Visayan styles. The okir on the blade is pure Moro. The hilt is also a kakatua style (albeit a minimalist interpretation). The shape of the blade and S-shaped guard are more consistent with Visayan or Tagalog knives. The shape of the scabbard similarly suggests a Filipino Christian influence, possibly Visayan." Conogre thought, "the hilt and guard shape make it look very much like a lake Maranao Moro ceremonial punal...." From the website

17th January 2011, 06:30 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	I would say that it is modern Maranao work, using other influences in form and profile. The inlay and on the scabbard and the chasing on the blade are definitely Maranao, but again recent.

17th January 2011, 06:40 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A WELL MADE INTERESTING AND ATTRACTIVE ITEM BUT SOMETHING IS A LITTLE FISHY. I LIKE IT

17th January 2011, 07:01 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Oh Barry........hahahahahahahahahahahaha.......you kill me...........

18th January 2011, 12:23 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Yeah, I admit I am fortunate. Although I say the word "sword" and her eyes glaze over, she still suggested that I display all my toys in one room of the house and even shows her friends when they come over. Anyway, your "fishy friend" does have nice work in it. Recent, but nice. It's what has been coming out of Marawi City these days..........

19th March 2011, 05:19 AM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I am not inclined to consider this a cockatoo style hilt, but rather that, especially in conjuction with the sheath, it represents a fish head. I don't know how it related to biology/what specie, but in SEAsian art, particularly cutlery handles, fish/dragons are represented with a long fin/crest on their head. I have a Visayan bowie with such a pommel (much more explicitly animal than this one). Remember a knife we saw a few weeks (? I often do not track time normally ?) from Indonesia/Malay-sia with a brass hilt and a fish head pommel with such a fin/crest, also perhaps seen on kastane?.....

19th March 2011, 05:20 AM	#8
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Nice looking new Malay dagger, BTW. My experience of SEAsian cutlery old and new, oceanic and mainland, is that it tends to be of generally high quality.