Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 3rd January 2005, 04:35 PM   #1
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Question Moro Kris on eBay

this auction ended last week. my question is, what is so special about this certain kris that it fetched $700.00+?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2005, 04:57 PM   #2
BluErf
Member
 
BluErf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,180
Default

Actually, it went cheaper than I thought it would fetch. Its a great piece (not the greatest, but good enough).

As to why it is a great piece, compare this piece with most other pieces and you should be able to tell that the wood, carvings on this piece is superior. The execution of the keris blade is also more refined than average. The metal is great, with some minor spots of surface rust. And look at the crispness of the fullers, greneng, kembang kacang. Look around, and you should see the difference it in time.
BluErf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2005, 11:33 PM   #3
nechesh
Member
 
nechesh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 940
Default

I agree. This is a nice kris and i'm afraid these are the prices this quality is going for these days. The ricikan of this kris are nicely formed. The sheath is unusual and nicely carved and what's more it appears to have some age to it, not a modern replacement. But the winner, CharlesS, is a sometimes poster on these forums, so maybe he will add his own thoughts here.
nechesh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 12:13 AM   #4
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Default

so is this particular kris really an indonesian keris then? is that why it's rare?
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 12:24 AM   #5
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,220
Default

I hate to say it, Spunger, but this Moro piece has the talismanic markings on the blade and that is why it has fetched the price it did (along with the quality of blade, scabbard carving, etc.) Prices for nicer or unusual pieces fetch nutty prices compared to just 5 years ago.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 12:37 AM   #6
nechesh
Member
 
nechesh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 940
Default

I agree with Jose. The talismanic markings on the blade (the four circles) certainly contributed to the price here and i wouldn't argue that it shouldn't. It would definitely make the blade more desirable to ME.
And this is a Moro kris all the way Ron.
nechesh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 12:41 AM   #7
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Default

in regards to the talismanic symbol, that was my first guess why the price was high. of course, the intricate scabbard, etc. but then there was a kris about a month ago that has more intricate talismanic symbols, but that only went up to half of what this one went for (granted it didn't have any taggub), but jeez, this much???
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 01:48 AM   #8
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,293
Thumbs up

The blade is beautifully executed , the fuller is exquisite , and I'll bet that the dress and tagub are original to the blade .
Mid 19th cent. ?
Rick is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 03:30 AM   #9
Andrew
Member
 
Andrew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,725
Cool

The auction winner is a member here. Perhaps he'll share some thoughts with us when he receives it?
Andrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 02:47 PM   #10
BluErf
Member
 
BluErf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,180
Default

Yes, pictures! pictures!
BluErf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2005, 10:40 PM   #11
Federico
Member
 
Federico's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 312
Default

I dunno, I dont think too hard about price trends these days. Ive seen too much wierdness in the past few years to try to make rhyme or reason. Somedays ivory pieces go low, whereas plain examplar pieces go high. When it comes down to it, price is determined by the collector, and perhaps this is just the piece to fit a hole in a collection. I know Ive spent more on pieces that fit into the collection as a whole, rather than on its individual merit.

While a very nice kris, it has a broken cockatua, dented clamps, and is missing a butt piece on the tagub, which for me would take it out of that price range. The blade is nice, with a very interesting fuller, but I do not like the talisman markings, they are shallow and there is something about them that strikes me as funny. But then, Im not the one who bought it. I am also concerned that the scabbard is not original, the proportion in size is just a little on the largish size. But then Im nit-picking here.

As for mid 19th century, while there is no real system for placing these at specific dates, and we've had our share of arguments, there is something about this piece that to me hits me as a late 19th century piece, probably the crispness of the features that everyone has noted as being unique. For an older piece, I would expect more wear from use/care. Of course, I suppose this piece was collected by a Westerner newly made, but then... Anyways, that is just my .0002 cents.
Federico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2005, 02:17 AM   #12
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Default

fred,

well, i'm hoping this is an exception rather than the rule. i think you hit it on the head when you said:
Quote:
When it comes down to it, price is determined by the collector, and perhaps this is just the piece to fit a hole in a collection.
yoohoo, CharlesS, where are you?
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 04:26 PM   #13
CharlesS
Member
 
CharlesS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,857
Default Here's why I bought it........

Sorry guys...been in NY for a while.

So, why did I buy this Moro kriss?? Yes, the talismanic sybols were interesting, but for me it was all about one simple word: 'quality'.

With the exception of the top portion of the cockatoo hilt missing, it is of superb quality throughout. The blade is outstanding and of a more unique form. The scabbard is one of the most intricate ones I have seen, and clearly not for the "average Joe Moro".

....so it's all about quality, quality, quality.....at least for me
CharlesS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 05:12 PM   #14
Spunjer
Member
 
Spunjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
Default

thanks for responding, CharlesS. i guess that answered my original enquiry.
Spunjer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 08:09 PM   #15
ibeam
Member
 
ibeam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 134
Question

Hello CharlesS,
Very nice high quality Moro kris. Have you received the kris yet?? I could not tell from the pictures but does the deep wide fullers have any patterns?? Twisted core?? Please share some pics when you get a chance. CONGRATS.

Last edited by ibeam; 6th January 2005 at 09:14 PM.
ibeam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 08:28 PM   #16
ronpakis
Member
 
ronpakis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: netherlands
Posts: 75
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nechesh
I agree with Jose. The talismanic markings on the blade (the four circles) certainly contributed to the price here and i wouldn't argue that it shouldn't. It would definitely make the blade more desirable to ME.
And this is a Moro kris all the way Ron.
What have i done??

I would have bought it for this money (however it stays a little gamble only by picture, like to have it in hands) i must agree with blu about the price. I haven't followed this but i just saw it and expected it to end higher. most moro on ebay is rubbish, nice to see an original and high quality example. congratulations to the winner. very nice start of the new collecting year.
ronpakis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 10:48 PM   #17
nechesh
Member
 
nechesh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 940
Default

Hi Ronpakis. Incase you didn't know, Spunjer's first name is Ron.
As for what YOU have done, well, we'll have to wait and see, won't we.
nechesh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 11:24 PM   #18
kino
Member
 
kino's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,002
Default

I have to agree with a lot of you, it is a beauty to behold. Killer blade, with a scabbard to boot.

But......... what talismanic markings????????
I just see the AUDI emblem

Last edited by kino; 6th January 2005 at 11:25 PM. Reason: spelling error
kino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2005, 11:48 PM   #19
LabanTayo
Member
 
LabanTayo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 177
Default

thats why audi's are so safe, they have anting-anting.
LabanTayo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th January 2005, 02:38 AM   #20
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,220
Default

OOO....Good answer Labantayo.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th January 2005, 08:02 PM   #21
ronpakis
Member
 
ronpakis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: netherlands
Posts: 75
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nechesh
Hi Ronpakis. Incase you didn't know, Spunjer's first name is Ron.
As for what YOU have done, well, we'll have to wait and see, won't we.
Whoops, hahaha, my mistake don't know any first names of any of the forum memebers.
ronpakis is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.