Large Junggayan Kris

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Am I correct that it is a Maranao blade?

You are close. Actually I think it is the tribe next door: Maguindanao.

Besides they too had junggayan pommels as well as the Sulu.

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by Battara

You are close. Actually I think it is the tribe next door: Maguindanao.

Besides they too had junggayan pommels as well as the Sulu.

Hullo Battara,
What makes you think it's a Maguindanao blade? According to Cato's definition, your blade is the classic Maranao type: jaw jutting underneath the "beak". I thought the Maguindanao has a more open beak perpendicular to the top part of the gangya. Or are you basing it on something else?

[Battara]

A good question. The documented Maranao blades I have seen do have some "jutting" out of the bottom of the ganga, but the "elephant" section of the ganga does not have an "eye" and are a little larger, whereas the documented Maguindanao ones I have seen have an "eye" and do not stand as tall as the Maranao and the top of the "trunk" has deeper cuts than those of the Maranao.

Small subtleties not mentioned in Cato but there nevertheless.

Difficult to tell the difference since they are next door neighbors and very similar in style. Also according to Cato the Maranao did not use the junggayan style of pommel for their kris but instead did more chasing of okir motifs on their metal bands on their hilts.

[Nathaniel]

Wow, it turned out fantastic Jose! You and Maggie did a amazing job! Thanks for sharing! Always interesting to see what is possible!!!

[VANDOO]

I WAS ALONG WHEN THIS WAS AQUIRED AND AM HAPPY TO SEE SUCH A FINE RESTORATION. NOW SHE IS ALL DECKED OUT AND IN A GOOD HOME.

[Jazz]

I have to say that that is a beautiful kris, Battara! Maybe one day I will own one likr that.
What about the possibility that those documented blades you have seen were traded blades?

I'm re-reading Cato's book, and hereare his descriptions:

Maranao:

"The type that is distinctly Maranao begins with an elongated trunk. The mouth cavity, while still present, is quite narrow, and the lower jaw runs parallel to the guard. While the Sulu, Maguindanao and crossover forms of elephant's head/trunk motif display concave cavities beneath the lower jaw, the Maranao configuration does not. Instead a substantial protrusion juts out from beneath it."

here's the Maguindanao description:

"The type that is uniquely Maguindanao is similar to the Sulu version, to the point of being easily mistaken for it"

and this:

"The Maguindanao style, like the Sulu, exhibits an elliptical elephant's mouth that is still somewhat pointed on the innermost end."

Also, nowhere in the book does it says the Maranaos did not use these type of hilts, but rather, "Flamboyant junggayan-type were not popular with the Maranaos... the pommels of their ceremonial krises were generally confined to the standard kakatua profile." I would take this statement that there's a possibility the Maranaos did use these type of pommel on their Ceremonial krises.

Not trying to be in disagreement, Battara, just confused on how these krises are classified. On some threads, whenever it doesn't fit Cato's classification, it's classified as "traded".

[Sajen]

Hello Jose,

have the same thoughts as Jazz!

Regards,

Detlef