Kris Junggayan Silver Gold Inlay Filigree

[Emanuel]

Nice work Battara!

What is the symbolic representation of that inlay, a volcano?

It strongly brought to mind this piece.

Could the complex pattern welding attempt to bring to mind the same "volcanic" symbol, or vice versa, could the inlay be an homage to the twistcore?

Emanuel

[Emanuel]

Another thought.

The quality of the silver pommel casting is spectacular. What surprises me a bit is the simplicity of the silver inlay on the blade. The patterns are crude relative to the refinement of the pommel.

Are we seeing a gap in technological skill/talent between casting and inlay craftsmen, or different sensibilities regarding what is important or what requires more detail (ie. the pommel is more visible than the blade, hence exhibits more refinement, the blade is used and hence needs rougher decoration).

Could the inlay and pommel have been added at different times in the piece's life, by different owners, again with different concerns or ability to afford embellishment?

Thanks,
Emanuel

[VANDOO]

I THINK THE SILVER DECORATION ON THE POMMEL, GRIP AND FERULE ARE JUST THAT, DECORATION TO SHOW STATUS AND WEALTH.
THE INLAY ON THE BLADE IS PROBABLY TALISMANIC AND THERE PERHAPS TO CONTAIN AND HARNESS THE SPIRIT IN THE BLADE THUS MAKING IT A WEAPON IN THE SPIRIT WORLD AS WELL AS IN THIS ONE.
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY REFERENCE TO A VOLCANO BEING REPRESENTED IN THE LORE OF MORO KRIS. THERE ARE VOLCANOES IN THE AREA SO THERE ARE SURE TO BE OLD BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. IN OTHER MYTHOLOGY THE GOD VULCAN'S FORGE WAS OFTEN THOUGHT TO BE IN VOLCANOES. A INTERESTING THOUGHT.

[Emanuel]

I could also interpret the "volcano" as a symbol of power akin to the triangular representation of the Shiva lingam. Perhaps a remnant of the earlier Javanese keris, absorbed and adapted to Moro culture .

In any case, the silver inlay decoration and the pattern welding had a very similar impact in my mind.

[Battara]

Often the pommel and hilt, and then the blade, and even the scabbard were done by different craftsmen. Vandoo is right in that what is on the blade is probably talismanic, but what I don't know. I also agree that there is a spirit in the blade.

As far as a volcano is concerned, I am not aware of any connection or significance.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

As far as a volcano is concerned, I am not aware of any connection or significance.

Well, the list of active volcanos in the Philippines is long. The relationship of the keris to Mt. Meru in Jawa clearly shows the connection between sacred mountains and the keris/kris form. In Alan Maisey's treatise on pre-Islamic influences on the keris he states:
"The Gunungan is a Javanese indigenous symbol, which after the introduction of Hindu culture and belief systems fused with Mt. Meru and the Tree of Life."
So here we see a synthesis of symbolism which in the Javanese culture is perpetuated (and added to along the way) well into the Islamic era of the region. I see no reason why the Moro kris would not retain a connection to some of these early pre-Islamic symbols.
In Jawa the mythology goes that the gods moved a piece of the sacred mountain to Jawa to "nail it down".
"This mythical mountain of gods was mentioned in Tantu Pagelaran, an Old Javanese manuscript written in Kawi language from 15th century Majapahit period. The manuscript is describing the mythical origin of Java island, and the legend of moving some parts of mount Meru to Java. The manuscript explained that Batara Guru (Shiva) has ordered the god Brahma and Vishnu to fill the Java island with human beings. However at that time Java island was floating freely on the ocean, ever tumbling and always shaking. To make the island still, the gods decided to nail the island upon the earth by moving the part of Mahameru in Jambudvipa (India) and attaching it upon Java.[16] The resulting mountain is Mount Semeru, the tallest mountain of Java." ~ Wikipedia
So i see no reason why this connection to the sacred mountain might not emigrate with the keris as it transferred to Moroland or that a local mountain/volcano could not then serve as a surrogate on their land for the sacred Mt. Meru. And what more powerful a mountain than an active volcano?
Of course, the above is all speculation and meaningless if the original intent of the inlaid design is NOT meant to be a volcano, but i can clearly see how it could very possibly be just that in design.

[David]

Just to follow through on this volcano theory, the one i would think it most likely to represent would be Mt. Apo. Not only is it in the Moro region, but like Mt. Semeru in Jawa, Mt. Apo is also the tallest mountain in the active volcano in the country. It is consider sacred by many of the surrounding tribes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Apo