lovely kris info

tanaruz · 14th January 2025, 03:27 AM

Hi all,

My first post for 2025.

Any info on this wonderful piece greatly appreciated.

Brought home to manila from Basilan during the holidays.

Happy new year friends!

Ian · 14th January 2025, 04:04 AM

Hello Yves. Welcome back.

I believe this is a 20th C piece based on the the treatment of the incised designs at the base of the blade and the likelihood (IMHO) that the gangya may not be separated from the rest of the blade--you should be able to tell better with the sword in hand. It looks to be completely Sulu in manufacture. Because you brought it back from Basilan, do you know whether it was made by the Yakan?

The pommel looks somewhat unusual. Has the beak of the kakatua been broken off, or was it made the way it looks now?

Regards,

Ian

Rick · 14th January 2025, 06:55 AM

I also thought Sulu, Ian.
The example in the center of the picture below looks like the same era as does the one on the left side.
The blade is thin, but it will cut you if you even look at it in the wrong way.

The wire work(?) on the grip looks very well done, (maybe silver?).
A handsome kris.

Battara · 17th January 2025, 05:22 AM

I've seen modern Sulu blades made like this.

Unusual scabbard.

tanaruz · 17th January 2025, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hello Yves. Welcome back.

I believe this is a 20th C piece based on the the treatment of the incised designs at the base of the blade and the likelihood (IMHO) that the gangya may not be separated from the rest of the blade--you should be able to tell better with the sword in hand. It looks to be completely Sulu in manufacture. Because you brought it back from Basilan, do you know whether it was made by the Yakan?

The pommel looks somewhat unusual. Has the beak of the kakatua been broken off, or was it made the way it looks now?

Regards,

Ian

Hello,

1) this kris was a gift from one of my father's Army buddy who lives in Isabela,Basilan. We visited his residence and this was decorated on his wall. No idea if this was Yakan forged or from other parts of the Sulu archipelago and brought back as a skirmish booty;

2) the beak is not broken off. It was really made this way.

Regards

Yves

14th January 2025, 03:27 AM	#1
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 269	lovely kris info Hi all, My first post for 2025. Any info on this wonderful piece greatly appreciated. Brought home to manila from Basilan during the holidays. Happy new year friends! Attached Images

14th January 2025, 06:55 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,313	I also thought Sulu, Ian. The example in the center of the picture below looks like the same era as does the one on the left side. The blade is thin, but it will cut you if you even look at it in the wrong way. The wire work(?) on the grip looks very well done, (maybe silver?). A handsome kris. Attached Images

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14th January 2025, 04:04 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,294	Hello Yves. Welcome back. I believe this is a 20th C piece based on the the treatment of the incised designs at the base of the blade and the likelihood (IMHO) that the gangya may not be separated from the rest of the blade--you should be able to tell better with the sword in hand. It looks to be completely Sulu in manufacture. Because you brought it back from Basilan, do you know whether it was made by the Yakan? The pommel looks somewhat unusual. Has the beak of the kakatua been broken off, or was it made the way it looks now? Regards, Ian

17th January 2025, 05:22 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,247	I've seen modern Sulu blades made like this. Unusual scabbard.