Another Nice Example Of Moro Twist Core Steel
 

This is another nice example of the art of Moro twist core steel on a kriss that I believe dates no later than the early 19th century.

This is a very high contrast example.

Note also the pattern welded ganja.

Observations and comments welcomed!

Charles

What can I say besides Sweeeet..... ;) :)


Lew

Thanks Lew.

Very nice! Sulu?

Yes, this is Sulu and does look like turn of the 18th/19th to early 19th century. Congrats, Charles!

How long is the blade? Any hints that the asang-asang may be a replacement?

Regards,
Kai

Yes love the twistcore. I agree with Kai on all points, including the question of the asang-asang possibly being later.

:eek: Beautiful Twisted Core Kreis Congrats Charles! Thanks for sharing!

while we're on the issue of newer additions to the older blade; What about the Scabbard? It does seem appropriate to the blade and region to me, but it does 'feel' younger than the blade upon excamining the pics.

The scabbard is in very good condition and has been worked over for maintenance and better look recently (similar to the new etch of the blade). Considering the nice quality of the wood and construction, I don't doubt that it is antique and probably from the 19th c. A pic of the other side and close-ups of the crosspiece would be great though, Charles!

With blades this old, it is almost a given that a scabbard is not original in the sense that it is the one the blade got fitted with after being forged. Mind you, scabbards were thought of as consumables (and for a reason given most SE Asian climates). To be confident that a scabbard of a 18th c. (or earlier) blade is really the original, you'd expect any piece to have been removed from SE Asia very early (like mid-19th c.) and being well cared for in a museum or in a bunch of private collections; this is rare. Most of the early kris available, especially in the US, were obtained during the Spanish-American war and the ensuing Moro resistance against colonial rule.

For these, I'd want additional evidence for any scabbard suggested to predate the 19th c. However, I believe that most collectors would be more than happy to be the current caretaker of a piece with nice 19th c. scabbard (and any repairs having been traditionally done way back in the originating culture).

Regards,
Kai

The scabbard was recently made and "antiqued" to fit the blade.

The etch is recent as well. I should have mentioned that earlier.

Well, Charles, you got me there! (Where's that foot-in-mouth smilie?) :rolleyes:

Nicely selected wood, especially for the stem! Need to admit that I brushed away a feeling regarding the flow at the crosspiece. Any pics?

Regards,
Kai

I second the feeling. Very nice wood! the etching is fantastic, too.

Beautiful blade, love the ganja being pattern welded. Is it a rehilt? The style of the handle looks to be of the 18th century type. The blade to me looks "newer", more 19th than 18th.