Another Moro Kriss. This One with Arabic/Jawi(?) Script On the Blade

CharlesS · 10th February 2016, 05:24 PM

I have come across this unique kriss recently. I was primarily interested in the rarer hilt style, though it's on a later kriss(I believe first third of the 20th century).

The bonus on this was was the script, one side with the name in English and cursive, Walter Salomon. In doing a search for "Walter Salomon" I have found several of some note that would fit the era of the kriss, but no links to the Philippines.

The other side of the blade looks to be Arabic...or is it Jawi?

I have also noticed how closely this one's hilt resembles one Battara posted earlier:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jawi

Even the blade inscriptions are in the same style with the name here even clearer, but the Arabic/Jawi script quite different.

The pommel style here was of particular interest to me, but otherwise the fittings are quite plain, with the hilt wrapped in layered black lacquered cording, and not attached one band of cording to another, as we would typically see in Moro cord wrapped hilts. The metal bands are the lower end of silver alloy.

The original scabbard came with this kriss and it was broken to pieces and beyond repair, but definitely in a Maguindanao style. The one you see is its identical replacement.

I'm hoping I will be as lucky as Battara in getting a translation of the Jawi script, but seriously doubt this example can be attributed to Datu Piang.

Battara · 10th February 2016, 06:08 PM

Very nice Charles. Congratulations! It doesn't look like the same name as Piang, but then again I don't read jawi.

I might place the blade a little earlier toward the turn of the century. Also the grenning, th "beak" on the ganga, and the scabbard are Maguindanao in appearance, so I agree.

Maybe Oliver can translate yours like he did mine.

carlitobrigante · 10th February 2016, 06:56 PM

fascinating piece. Please keep up posted on how the research into Mr.Soloman goes!

Gustav · 10th February 2016, 07:32 PM

Most probably you can find him here:

https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...age/1/mode/2up

There is a misprint just on his name (Walter Walter is him):

https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...walter+salomon

and another misprint in index:

https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...walter+salomon

And perhaps his daughter:

http://easthamptonstar.com/Obituarie...l-E-Salomon-96

Regards,
Gustav

CharlesS · 10th February 2016, 09:05 PM

Amazing work Gustav. With a name like "Salomon" it likely can't be anyone else other then the one you found. His appointment in 1911 goes along perfectly with how Battara and I guesstimated the age of the kriss.

Thanks SO MUCH for this incredible help!

Now, if we can just get that Jawi translated.

Gustav · 10th February 2016, 09:18 PM

You are welcome.

Regards,
Gustav

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th February 2016, 09:51 AM

Salaams All....What Script?... It says in English Walter Salomon...The Arabic on the other side says exactly the same !! Walter Salomon. Arabic proceeds without showing vowels wltr slmn and no capitals.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

CharlesS · 11th February 2016, 12:32 PM

Thanks for helping us complete the translation Ibrahiim.

10th February 2016, 05:24 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Another Moro Kriss. This One with Arabic/Jawi(?) Script On the Blade I have come across this unique kriss recently. I was primarily interested in the rarer hilt style, though it's on a later kriss(I believe first third of the 20th century). The bonus on this was was the script, one side with the name in English and cursive, Walter Salomon. In doing a search for "Walter Salomon" I have found several of some note that would fit the era of the kriss, but no links to the Philippines. The other side of the blade looks to be Arabic...or is it Jawi? I have also noticed how closely this one's hilt resembles one Battara posted earlier: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jawi Even the blade inscriptions are in the same style with the name here even clearer, but the Arabic/Jawi script quite different. The pommel style here was of particular interest to me, but otherwise the fittings are quite plain, with the hilt wrapped in layered black lacquered cording, and not attached one band of cording to another, as we would typically see in Moro cord wrapped hilts. The metal bands are the lower end of silver alloy. The original scabbard came with this kriss and it was broken to pieces and beyond repair, but definitely in a Maguindanao style. The one you see is its identical replacement. I'm hoping I will be as lucky as Battara in getting a translation of the Jawi script, but seriously doubt this example can be attributed to Datu Piang. Attached Images

11th February 2016, 09:51 AM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams All....What Script?... It says in English Walter Salomon...The Arabic on the other side says exactly the same !! Walter Salomon. Arabic proceeds without showing vowels wltr slmn and no capitals. Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 11th February 2016 at 10:23 AM.

10th February 2016, 06:08 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Very nice Charles. Congratulations! It doesn't look like the same name as Piang, but then again I don't read jawi. I might place the blade a little earlier toward the turn of the century. Also the grenning, th "beak" on the ganga, and the scabbard are Maguindanao in appearance, so I agree. Maybe Oliver can translate yours like he did mine.

10th February 2016, 06:56 PM	#3
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	fascinating piece. Please keep up posted on how the research into Mr.Soloman goes!

10th February 2016, 07:32 PM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,247	Most probably you can find him here: https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...age/1/mode/2up There is a misprint just on his name (Walter Walter is him): https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...walter+salomon and another misprint in index: https://archive.org/stream/acx2371.0...walter+salomon And perhaps his daughter: http://easthamptonstar.com/Obituarie...l-E-Salomon-96 Regards, Gustav

10th February 2016, 09:05 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Amazing work Gustav. With a name like "Salomon" it likely can't be anyone else other then the one you found. His appointment in 1911 goes along perfectly with how Battara and I guesstimated the age of the kriss. Thanks SO MUCH for this incredible help! Now, if we can just get that Jawi translated.

10th February 2016, 09:18 PM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,247	You are welcome. Regards, Gustav

11th February 2016, 12:32 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks for helping us complete the translation Ibrahiim.