Elusive Tulip Pommel Kris

kai · 23rd October 2011, 09:17 PM

Hello Jose,

Thanks for the pics!

Quote:

This is what Cato calls the "tulip" kris with the pommel in the form of a tulip bulb.

I have to admit that I'm not fond of this name at all - can't we come up with a better descriptive name that's possibly based in something known to the original culture, too?

I'm also not sure on how many variants we're actually looking at: There are those with swollen base and downward turned tip reminescent of a kakatua beak (like Rick's kris), then more slender ones that almost look like having been crafted on a lathe (handcarved as well, of course). I'd suggest that any with noticeable lateral turn (towards the side of a blade) may represent abstract versions of the figurative hilt style. Anything else I forgot to mention?

Quote:

This is one that I have handled and it is a smaller one. The pommel in question is ivory and the bands silver and braided hemp. Hard to see but there are laminations in the blade. Unfortunately the scabbard is in poor shape. I think this piece is possibly Maranao and maybe early 19c due to its size.

Nice one. First half of 19th c. sounds good to me and could well be a bit older. Could you please get a more exact measurement on the blade length as well as pommel length, please?

Is the pommel exactly in line with the grip or does it slightly tilt towards one of the sides?

Regards,
Kai

Amuk Murugul · 24th October 2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

..... I have to admit that I'm not fond of this name at all - can't we come up with a better descriptive name that's possibly based in something known to the original culture, too?.....Kai

Hullo everybody,

Kai, try 'Gate to Mecca' ( motif has been around since approx. late 14thC and has become EXTREMELY stylised ).
That's all.

Best,

Indianajones · 24th October 2011, 10:48 AM

Hello, has anybody questioned about this pommel of what sort of ivory it is; I guess those cockatoo-pommels are elephant ivory (imported), but this could be a different kind of ivory -f.e. duhong-tooth, whalestooth- which would determine/explain this particular shape ("tulip").
hpe I'm 'making sense'?

Rick · 24th October 2011, 02:13 PM

Example .
This is a form unto itself; not a re-shaped kakatua .

Battara · 24th October 2011, 04:27 PM

Thank you Rick - I was hoping you would chime in with your piece.

24th October 2011, 02:13 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,348	Example . This is a form unto itself; not a re-shaped kakatua . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 24th October 2011 at 04:11 PM.

24th October 2011, 10:48 AM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hello, has anybody questioned about this pommel of what sort of ivory it is; I guess those cockatoo-pommels are elephant ivory (imported), but this could be a different kind of ivory -f.e. duhong-tooth, whalestooth- which would determine/explain this particular shape ("tulip"). hpe I'm 'making sense'?

24th October 2011, 04:27 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Thank you Rick - I was hoping you would chime in with your piece.