Another Odd Moro Kriss

CharlesS · 8th September 2012, 08:13 PM

This Moro kriss will not win any awards for its age or asthetics, but is an interesting piece nonetheless. Likely from the first third of the 20th century this is a long, heavy, bulky kriss. The blade is not extraordinary, but decently forged.

It's the hilt's garuda design that drew my interest because it is not often seen. The hilt is hardwood I believe, but could be horn. It is embellished with silver alloy medallions that are nailed into it. These medallions are not particularly well executed and I do not recognise them as talismanic symbols....need your help here Battara. I think they are just for blingy decoration.

The scabbard is new.

Interesting piece, if not of superb quality, and was curious about your thoughts.

Battara · 9th September 2012, 12:01 AM

Interesting piece. Blade maybe Maguindanao. The designs on the plates are just okir, nothing more talismanic. Yes I think the pommel is wood.

The ferrule and band under pommel may be later additions.

VVV · 9th September 2012, 01:55 PM

A very rare piece!
I have seen only a few of the Garuda-hilted kris and they have had the Garuda made in bone or ivory. Those seems to originally have been Sumatran keris hilt's but yours seems to be made for this kris.
Some good reference pictures of this hilt variation are found in Sejr Jensen's Kris disk, the Borneo chapter.

Michael

Atlantia · 9th September 2012, 03:43 PM

Nice lines Charles. Very much like the way the angles of the blade grinding look like they continue into Garuda.

Sajen · 9th September 2012, 07:34 PM

Nice kris with a very rare hilt form!

Regards,

Detlef

Spunjer · 10th September 2012, 12:49 PM

Nice!!!
can't believe you already got a scabbard for it, lol...

8th September 2012, 08:13 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Another Odd Moro Kriss This Moro kriss will not win any awards for its age or asthetics, but is an interesting piece nonetheless. Likely from the first third of the 20th century this is a long, heavy, bulky kriss. The blade is not extraordinary, but decently forged. It's the hilt's garuda design that drew my interest because it is not often seen. The hilt is hardwood I believe, but could be horn. It is embellished with silver alloy medallions that are nailed into it. These medallions are not particularly well executed and I do not recognise them as talismanic symbols....need your help here Battara. I think they are just for blingy decoration. The scabbard is new. Interesting piece, if not of superb quality, and was curious about your thoughts. Attached Images

9th September 2012, 12:01 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Interesting piece. Blade maybe Maguindanao. The designs on the plates are just okir, nothing more talismanic. Yes I think the pommel is wood. The ferrule and band under pommel may be later additions.

9th September 2012, 01:55 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	A very rare piece! I have seen only a few of the Garuda-hilted kris and they have had the Garuda made in bone or ivory. Those seems to originally have been Sumatran keris hilt's but yours seems to be made for this kris. Some good reference pictures of this hilt variation are found in Sejr Jensen's Kris disk, the Borneo chapter. Michael

9th September 2012, 03:43 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Nice lines Charles. Very much like the way the angles of the blade grinding look like they continue into Garuda.

9th September 2012, 07:34 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Nice kris with a very rare hilt form! Regards, Detlef

10th September 2012, 12:49 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Nice!!! can't believe you already got a scabbard for it, lol...