Moro kris with silver sideplates

DaveS · 13th February 2014, 04:55 AM

Here is a moro kris with silver sideplates with ukil engraving. Early 1900s blade that is 20 1/2 inches long. Top and bottom of scabbard is faced with tortoise shell with dot decoration. The back facing is engraved aluminum. The stone in the center I think is lapis with what appears to be flecks of gold. This stone might be used to ward off the "EVIL EYE", some kind of anting-anting..............Dave.

Battara · 13th February 2014, 05:06 AM

W

W!

Where do you come up with this stuff!?!?

This is a great piece. To me it looks like the plates are made of swassa (unless it is the lighting on silver)! This kris also looks like a Maguindanao piece to me. Great inlay and metal work!

I agree with your analysis regarding the anting-anting on that mid-20th century scabbard.

Thanks for posting such great pieces!

DaveS · 13th February 2014, 05:14 AM

Jose; It's the lighting. It's definitely not swassa. Kinda wish it was....Dave

CharlesS · 13th February 2014, 12:17 PM

Great piece Dave! How far back would you guys date this blade?

Sajen · 13th February 2014, 01:31 PM

Beautiful kris Dave! But the plates at the scabbard are not from tortoise shell. It's thin carved buffalo horn IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

Ferguson · 13th February 2014, 01:38 PM

Simply gorgeous!
Steve

Ferguson · 13th February 2014, 01:45 PM

Simply gorgeous!
Steve

DaveS · 15th February 2014, 06:50 AM

Detlef: On closer examination, you could be right. It does look like it could be carabao horn instead of tortoise shell......Dave.

Robert · 15th February 2014, 08:26 AM

Beuatiful sword Dave. I agree with Detlef on that the wrap on the scabbard it made from water buffalo horn and not tortoise shell. A question for the experts, is it normal for the fullers in the blade to extend to the tip of the blade like this or do you think that the tip of blade was possibly damaged and then ground back to remove the damaged area? Regardless of the answer, this is a wonderful example of Moro craftsmanship. Again, my congratulation to you on another exceptional find.

Battara · 15th February 2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

A question for the experts, is it normal for the fullers in the blade to extend to the tip of the blade like this or do you think that the tip of blade was possibly damaged and then ground back to remove the damaged area?

I don't know about "expert", but I give it a shot. I have seen both forms, although the lines running off the blade is a little rarer. At present, I think that it is a deliberate design.

13th February 2014, 04:55 AM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Moro kris with silver sideplates Here is a moro kris with silver sideplates with ukil engraving. Early 1900s blade that is 20 1/2 inches long. Top and bottom of scabbard is faced with tortoise shell with dot decoration. The back facing is engraved aluminum. The stone in the center I think is lapis with what appears to be flecks of gold. This stone might be used to ward off the "EVIL EYE", some kind of anting-anting..............Dave. Attached Images

13th February 2014, 05:06 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	W W! Where do you come up with this stuff!?!? This is a great piece. To me it looks like the plates are made of swassa (unless it is the lighting on silver)! This kris also looks like a Maguindanao piece to me. Great inlay and metal work! I agree with your analysis regarding the anting-anting on that mid-20th century scabbard. Thanks for posting such great pieces!

13th February 2014, 05:14 AM	#3
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Jose; It's the lighting. It's definitely not swassa. Kinda wish it was....Dave

13th February 2014, 12:17 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Great piece Dave! How far back would you guys date this blade?

13th February 2014, 01:31 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Beautiful kris Dave! But the plates at the scabbard are not from tortoise shell. It's thin carved buffalo horn IMHO. Regards, Detlef

13th February 2014, 01:38 PM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Simply gorgeous! Steve

13th February 2014, 01:45 PM	#7
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Simply gorgeous! Steve

15th February 2014, 06:50 AM	#8
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Detlef: On closer examination, you could be right. It does look like it could be carabao horn instead of tortoise shell......Dave.

15th February 2014, 08:26 AM	#9
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Beuatiful sword Dave. I agree with Detlef on that the wrap on the scabbard it made from water buffalo horn and not tortoise shell. A question for the experts, is it normal for the fullers in the blade to extend to the tip of the blade like this or do you think that the tip of blade was possibly damaged and then ground back to remove the damaged area? Regardless of the answer, this is a wonderful example of Moro craftsmanship. Again, my congratulation to you on another exceptional find.