Help with talismanic inscriptions?

Spunjer · 14th December 2008, 04:19 PM

without a doubt, it is a bakunawa, more pronounced than the Ilonggo version. thanks for the close ups. the lean on the blade is something i find unusual. pretty cool, tho.

VVV · 14th February 2009, 11:19 AM

Here is a motif I haven't seen on kris blades before - the star cluster.
It was a pleasant surprise as the pictures on ebay was of a very low quality so it was impossible to see what the blade really looked like.
Also an unusual hanger attached to the scabbard on this Maranao kris.
The hilt and scabbard however aren't that exciting.
Any ideas or references for this motif?

Michael

kai · 14th February 2009, 01:57 PM

Congrats, Michael!

The blade looks Sulu to me - hilt possibly Maguindanao?

This "star" motif seems to be related to the smaller "stars"/"bird footprints" sometmes seen on older Moro blades. A thumbnail of a really nice example is published in vZ (sundang)...

The small peg for holding the scabbard in the sash seems to be quite common with these Maguindanao scabbards.

Regards,
Kai

VVV · 14th February 2009, 04:24 PM

Maybe I was too fast with describing the blade as Maranao?
I went for the Cato classification but I agree that the rest looks more Sulu.
On the van Z thumb nail picture I can't really see if it's stars or the more common dots?
Do you have any other reference picture?

Michael

Tim Simmons · 14th February 2009, 05:26 PM

I do not know if this has any relevance but flowers-gardens-paradise, and stars-heaven, are all often elements in Islamic carpet design and other decoration.

Spunjer · 14th February 2009, 09:49 PM

hi michael,
thanks for posting that.
are the stars in any particular pattern going down the blade?
as per the scabbard; prolly not original to the blade...

Battara · 15th February 2009, 01:07 AM

I agree with Kai in that the blade looks Sulu but the rest is Maguindanao.

Also the "fingernail" symbols are an old okir motif, used in both Maranao/Maguindanao and Sulu pieces. These seemed to have migrated to the Lumad tribes as well who live near the Maguindanao and Maranao. The tool that makes this symbol is easy to make and common to chasing tools all over Indonesia and the PI.

14th February 2009, 11:19 AM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is a motif I haven't seen on kris blades before - the star cluster. It was a pleasant surprise as the pictures on ebay was of a very low quality so it was impossible to see what the blade really looked like. Also an unusual hanger attached to the scabbard on this Maranao kris. The hilt and scabbard however aren't that exciting. Any ideas or references for this motif? Michael Attached Images

14th December 2008, 04:19 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	without a doubt, it is a bakunawa, more pronounced than the Ilonggo version. thanks for the close ups. the lean on the blade is something i find unusual. pretty cool, tho.

14th February 2009, 01:57 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Congrats, Michael! The blade looks Sulu to me - hilt possibly Maguindanao? This "star" motif seems to be related to the smaller "stars"/"bird footprints" sometmes seen on older Moro blades. A thumbnail of a really nice example is published in vZ (sundang)... The small peg for holding the scabbard in the sash seems to be quite common with these Maguindanao scabbards. Regards, Kai

14th February 2009, 04:24 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Maybe I was too fast with describing the blade as Maranao? I went for the Cato classification but I agree that the rest looks more Sulu. On the van Z thumb nail picture I can't really see if it's stars or the more common dots? Do you have any other reference picture? Michael

14th February 2009, 05:26 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,880	I do not know if this has any relevance but flowers-gardens-paradise, and stars-heaven, are all often elements in Islamic carpet design and other decoration.

14th February 2009, 09:49 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	hi michael, thanks for posting that. are the stars in any particular pattern going down the blade? as per the scabbard; prolly not original to the blade...

15th February 2009, 01:07 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,315	I agree with Kai in that the blade looks Sulu but the rest is Maguindanao. Also the "fingernail" symbols are an old okir motif, used in both Maranao/Maguindanao and Sulu pieces. These seemed to have migrated to the Lumad tribes as well who live near the Maguindanao and Maranao. The tool that makes this symbol is easy to make and common to chasing tools all over Indonesia and the PI.