Whoa ! Moro

Rick · 30th April 2006, 08:14 PM

Hi Ariel , just my opinion but I think this can be quite a subjective question .

In the case of the krisses under discussion I'm led to ask myself "What would the original owner do ?" ; in most cases I think that if the sword in its native environment was damaged to the point of the ivory pommel piece in question that either a repair , replacement or modification would be done . I would also think the same would apply to the kris without a pommel .

Now this may be unique to the world of keris and kris ; but the heart and soul of these weapons is the blade regardless of Indo/Malay or Moro origin .
In these cultures dress was and is replaced regularly as it aged or was damaged ; not to do so was considered disrespectful to the keris/kris itself .
Often hilts would be removed and sold if the owner hit hard times ; then a less expensive hilt would be used .
Now when these pieces wind up in Western hands *in my opinion* providing a quality repair or replacement can be done if it is in keeping with the culture .

When it comes down to it the blade is the heart and soul of the keris/kris and is deserving of honor regardless of the culture it winds up in .

Tim Simmons · 30th April 2006, 08:42 PM

I think ariel touches on a very good point. What is restoration? Old damage can be seen as part of the objects life and may in some rare occasions add value. Repair to recent damage is problematic how far do you go? This piece presented a dilemma for me. It arrived with some damage then to rub salt into the wound I dropped it again, anyway a big chunk was missing, the damage was done!
Do I leave it looking damaged and ugly or do something about it. I hope I have taken a middle road, what I have done is no worse than the damage. I have only hinted at how it would have been, I could very easily fake it up a lot more, I shall not say how. I am hoping to the future owners, the repair will also be older, will see it just as an honest attempt to keep a lovely thing looking nice and still feel good in the hand. I have others with the same kind of damage that is old and for some reason looks so very different and acceptable.

BluErf · 30th April 2006, 10:29 PM

For me, I feel that as long as the repair/replacement follows the traditional style of where the piece comes from, it is fine. This often entails the engagement of craftsmen who are from that culture.

BluErf · 30th April 2006, 10:32 PM

Hey Tim, that's a great repair. Maybe you want to stain the wood to match the original wood colour? Don't worry, people would still be able to see that it was repaired.

Battara · 2nd May 2006, 01:55 AM

Ok folks, here I go (by request).

I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now.......

The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me

).

Spunjer · 19th May 2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Ok folks, here I go (by request).

I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now.......

The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me ).

how about the color? would it match? it is indeed a beautiful junggayan.

D Wilke · 19th May 2006, 07:59 AM

I'll throw my own two centavos in here. I completely agree with Kris and BluErf. These blades are continually being repaired and redressed and as long as it is done in the traditional style (or better yet within the same culture by their craftsmen using traditional methods) there is no loss of value or history only an increased esthetic. Who wouldn't want a complete blade with complete dress that showed the glory or the height of that culture in their collection as opposed to one with pieces missing.

I had Hajiri build me a new scabbard for my barong and rewrap the handle with silver braid, all the materials were from Sulu and he and his Grandfather did the work. It is a much more visually stunning blade now and better represents the true Tausug craftsmanship as opposed to the tail-less colored-ribbon wrapped scabbard it came in.

That doesn't negate my preference for an intact old piece, I just usually can't finance those

Dan

Battara · 20th May 2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

how about the color? would it match? it is indeed a beautiful junggayan.

The color would be a little difficult, but could be carefully worked to come close to the color. The grain would be the most difficult part by far.

30th April 2006, 08:14 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	The Opinion of a Kris/Keris Collector Hi Ariel , just my opinion but I think this can be quite a subjective question . In the case of the krisses under discussion I'm led to ask myself "What would the original owner do ?" ; in most cases I think that if the sword in its native environment was damaged to the point of the ivory pommel piece in question that either a repair , replacement or modification would be done . I would also think the same would apply to the kris without a pommel . Now this may be unique to the world of keris and kris ; but the heart and soul of these weapons is the blade regardless of Indo/Malay or Moro origin . In these cultures dress was and is replaced regularly as it aged or was damaged ; not to do so was considered disrespectful to the keris/kris itself . Often hilts would be removed and sold if the owner hit hard times ; then a less expensive hilt would be used . Now when these pieces wind up in Western hands in my opinion providing a quality repair or replacement can be done if it is in keeping with the culture . When it comes down to it the blade is the heart and soul of the keris/kris and is deserving of honor regardless of the culture it winds up in .

30th April 2006, 08:42 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I think ariel touches on a very good point. What is restoration? Old damage can be seen as part of the objects life and may in some rare occasions add value. Repair to recent damage is problematic how far do you go? This piece presented a dilemma for me. It arrived with some damage then to rub salt into the wound I dropped it again, anyway a big chunk was missing, the damage was done! Do I leave it looking damaged and ugly or do something about it. I hope I have taken a middle road, what I have done is no worse than the damage. I have only hinted at how it would have been, I could very easily fake it up a lot more, I shall not say how. I am hoping to the future owners, the repair will also be older, will see it just as an honest attempt to keep a lovely thing looking nice and still feel good in the hand. I have others with the same kind of damage that is old and for some reason looks so very different and acceptable. Attached Images

19th May 2006, 07:59 AM	#7
D Wilke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okinawa, JN Posts: 22	Culturally correct repairs I'll throw my own two centavos in here. I completely agree with Kris and BluErf. These blades are continually being repaired and redressed and as long as it is done in the traditional style (or better yet within the same culture by their craftsmen using traditional methods) there is no loss of value or history only an increased esthetic. Who wouldn't want a complete blade with complete dress that showed the glory or the height of that culture in their collection as opposed to one with pieces missing. I had Hajiri build me a new scabbard for my barong and rewrap the handle with silver braid, all the materials were from Sulu and he and his Grandfather did the work. It is a much more visually stunning blade now and better represents the true Tausug craftsmanship as opposed to the tail-less colored-ribbon wrapped scabbard it came in. That doesn't negate my preference for an intact old piece, I just usually can't finance those Dan

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30th April 2006, 10:29 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	For me, I feel that as long as the repair/replacement follows the traditional style of where the piece comes from, it is fine. This often entails the engagement of craftsmen who are from that culture.

30th April 2006, 10:32 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hey Tim, that's a great repair. Maybe you want to stain the wood to match the original wood colour? Don't worry, people would still be able to see that it was repaired.

2nd May 2006, 01:55 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	Ok folks, here I go (by request). I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now....... The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me ).