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#1 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,186
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Greetings folks! I am posting a kris by permission of the owner. This is what Cato calls the "tulip" kris with the pommel in the form of a tulip bulb. I have only seen one picture of one which a fellow formite has.
This is one that I have handled and it is a smaller one. The pommel in question is ivory and the bands silver and braided hemp. Hard to see but there are laminations in the blade. Unfortunately the scabbard is in poor shape. I think this piece is possibly Maranao and maybe early 19c due to its size. IT was brought back by John Wesley Bonzo who was a dentist with the US Army during the Spanish-American War. He returned from the Philippines in 1901 and died in 1969 at 100 years old. The owner is a relative. I thought I'd post this for our research and records. My thanks to the owner. Enjoy. Last edited by Battara; 23rd October 2011 at 05:13 AM. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 338
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OH, MAN!
I've actually come across quite a few of these in person and PASSED ON THEM thinking that they were severely damagerd kakatua pommels that had been reshaped into something presentable (That and I'm looking currently for older Sulu pieces). Thank you for showing me the error of my ways, as I seem to have made a TON of errors regarding the tulip pommel. Which reminds me... I have some calls to make. ![]() |
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#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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![]() Quote:
I've also seen a few kris with this pommel style. I'll try to post some pics when I find them. Regards, Kai |
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,186
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It would be great to see more of these. Cato says they are rare, but perhaps he did not see what others have outside of museums.
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 1,340
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Excellent info, Jose. thanks :- )
Just one newbie question, When I see the tang of a Kris, it looks very slim compared to european and "middle eastern" blades.. was it made to be used or just a dress sword? The barong is serious business ofc :- P |
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#6 | ||
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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Hello Jose,
Thanks for the pics! Quote:
I'm also not sure on how many variants we're actually looking at: There are those with swollen base and downward turned tip reminescent of a kakatua beak (like Rick's kris), then more slender ones that almost look like having been crafted on a lathe (handcarved as well, of course). I'd suggest that any with noticeable lateral turn (towards the side of a blade) may represent abstract versions of the figurative hilt style. Anything else I forgot to mention? Quote:
Is the pommel exactly in line with the grip or does it slightly tilt towards one of the sides? Regards, Kai |
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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![]() Regards, Kai |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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Actually, the tang of a Moro kris (and Malay keris sundang) is quite thick. It may look a bit on the short side for modern eyes but has a proven track record. Many other sword blades from different cultures came with tangs of similar or shorter sizes: e. g. some of the Indian wootz blades. The tang of the shorter ancestors of the Moro kris - the keris dagger from the Indonesian and Malay spheres of influence - may look slim (not always though) but is usually good enough for it's intended use as a close-in stabbing weapon (this weapon function has become culturally obsolete in limited areas like Jawa). Regards, Kai |
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#9 | |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,186
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Kai - I wish I could give you measurements, but, well, it is back with the owner now. ![]() Oh and you're welcome A.Alnakkas |
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#10 | |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben
Posts: 457
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Kai, try 'Gate to Mecca' ( motif has been around since approx. late 14thC and has become EXTREMELY stylised ). That's all. Best, |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
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Hello, has anybody questioned about this pommel of what sort of ivory it is; I guess those cockatoo-pommels are elephant ivory (imported), but this could be a different kind of ivory -f.e. duhong-tooth, whalestooth- which would determine/explain this particular shape ("tulip").
hpe I'm 'making sense'? ![]() |
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#12 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,283
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Example .
This is a form unto itself; not a re-shaped kakatua . Last edited by Rick; 24th October 2011 at 04:11 PM. |
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#13 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,186
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Thank you Rick - I was hoping you would chime in with your piece.
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