"Archaic" Twisted Core on eBay

[David]

I'm sure many of my fellow ePray watchers saw this one.
http://tinyurl.com/ljk449n
I know that for me a twisted-core ivory-pommeled "archaic" style kris is something of the Holy Grail for my Moro weapons collection. Do others find this realized price reasonable in today's market for an incomplete (no sheath) item like this in semi-rough condition (chipped pommel, hole through blade)? Can anyone explain why there would be a hole in the blade in that location? Is anyone HERE the winner of this kris?

[mross]

I was watching this one, I had a bid in that was too low. I bid less than the winner for all the reasons you mentioned. As to the price I think it was reasonable. From my perspective I think Phil. weapons are under priced. I cannot explain why. I can't explain the hole either.

[spiral]

For the last 25 or 30 years Ive seen many explanations for holes in blades of tulwar, Kris, Dha, kukri & numerous other blades, shields etc..

Up until 25 or so years ago, many,many pubs in England were adorned with weaponry from around the world, generally drilled & nailed to the wall, so that they weren't brought into more "current" use on a drunken Friday night..

I am sure some blades have been drilled for other reasons, but for many thousands there provenance was a 100 years on a pub wall protected from rust by the layers of tar & nicotine.

Many UK dealers and even collectors a couple of decades ago used to plug the hole with copper brass or Gold, then it becomes more of an enhancement & valuable feature.

Spiral

[David]

Originally Posted by spiral

Up until 25 or so years ago, many,many pubs in England were adorned with weaponry from around the world, generally drilled & nailed to the wall, so that they weren't brought into more "current" use on a drunken Friday night..

I am sure some blades have been drilled for other reasons, but for many thousands there provenance was a 100 years on a pub wall protected from rust by the layers of tar & nicotine.

Many UK dealers and even collectors a couple of decades ago used to plug the hole with copper brass or Gold, then it becomes more of an enhancement & valuable feature.

Spiral

Spiral, this is certainly one explanation that i had considered for this particular hole.

[ariel]

Right now on E-Bay there is a GOOD OLD MUGHAL TULWAR ..... SHAMSHIR with a similar hole:-)

I fully agree: 100 years on a pub wall.

[Spunjer]

this particular kris was an ex-Quirino collection. i was told that according to Cecil, this kris is one of, if not, the oldest kris he ever owned. reason why i'm acquainted with this was because me and seller were discussing the similar kris that i have awhile back:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...d=1#post143776

[jwkiernan]

Here is another example of a kris with a hole in the blade. It also is ex-Quirino collection collected by Cecil in the Filipines.

Cecil and I had a conversation about his thoughts on the origin/reason for the hole...seems as some attribute it to a feature found on some Indonesian keris (for securing blade with a peg when in formal settings?). I have not seen any explanation in my limited readings...part of what makes caring for these swords so much fun!

[ThePepperSkull]

Wow. I thought interest in Moro pieces have waned in the past year but it looks like I'm wrong. Or maybe because it's harder and harder to track down a twistcore. The older pieces will always be in demand regardless of overall trends, I think. Like the OP said, Twistcore + Ivory pommel = very desirable, even moreso when taken into consideration the age.

Also, considering the age I believe it to be in relatively good condition. Not great, mind you but good enough to easily restore without being too invasive (i.e. a replacement crest at the back of the pommel, maybe a sheath, or even nice enough to leave it as-is). Collecting quality pieces has changed in the past couple of years in terms of moro blades, and compared to other twistcores that have sold in recent months (including one I remember seeing that was mostly eaten by rust and another with the tip completely shorn off) this one is actually not that bad. Not as good as acquisitions, say, in 2011 but pickings are slimmer and slimmer as popularity and knowledge about these rise.

If it's true about the pub wall theory, it's a shame about the hole but interesting that this was done nonetheless. Especially for such a great piece. If not, the mystery continues.

EDIT: Are there more examples of ethnographic arms with a confirmed "pub drill hole" that we can compare with?