Maguindanao twistcore Kris.

Gustav · 10th April 2018, 12:30 PM

Dear All,

something a bit unusual.

At 59,4 cm quite huge. It has 6 bars at the base of blade, the highest number I have seen on Kris so far, and 4 bars until the tip. The welding is done remarkably well.

Besides that it has two unusual features that distinguish it from the rather uniform group of similar Maguindanao blades - a slightly different fullering at the base (it concerns a feature called Tikel Alis in Javanese Keris terminology);
and the end of the middle panel - it's closed like an gothic arch, quite near to the tip.

The curl at the end of "elephants trunk" is done very finely.

Lee · 10th April 2018, 12:51 PM

Well, this is spectacular and gorgeous - but you already know that! I'll look forward to the comments of our kris experts.

There are some similarities with a kris I had presented previously that has 2 tracks except at the base where there are 3.

kai · 11th April 2018, 01:47 AM

Hello Gustav,

Wow, that's really, really nice! Did you win the lottery recently?

Quote:

At 59,4 cm quite huge. It has 6 bars at the base of blade, the highest number I have seen on Kris so far, and 4 bars until the tip. The welding is done remarkably well.

Yes, excellent pamor control with a neat solution at the tip!

Also the shaping and fuller work is top notch. We do need a green with envy emoji!

Size is common for Maguindanao kris; looks like an early 20th century piece to me.

No scabbard surviving?

Regards,
Kai

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 11th April 2018, 06:15 AM

Truly beautiful example and nicely preserved (or restored?)

Gustav · 11th April 2018, 08:12 AM

Thank you Lee, Kai and PBH.

Until now I have noticed here 3 twistcore Kris with 4 bars running all the way through:

two older style Sulu with dense twists:

www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23692

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=moro+kris

and Dave's Sutton Hoo Kris:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...twistcore+kris

It's absolutely common for twistcores to have additional bars at the base of blade.

No lottery Kai. Just saw some blades I liked (after a longer time) and luckily was able to acquire them.

No sheath, you can't have it all. Would be difficult for it to be an early 20th cent. piece, as by 1898 it already was in Europe.

No restoration, just cleaned it thoroughly. It had a protective coating and minimal rust in usual places.

Ian · 11th April 2018, 09:11 AM

An outstanding example of a Mindanao battle kris--the simple hilt indicates it was for use rather than show. A high datu quality piece in my opinion, perhaps for a panglima. The style suggests late 19th C. with excellent preservation.

Congrats Gustav on finding such a high quality piece. Information about its provenance would be very helpful. You may be able to identify a particular owner, which would add greatly to its value.

Ian.

CharlesS · 11th April 2018, 03:59 PM

Congrats on one of the finest twistcores I have seen!

I believe it certainly pre-20th century.

F. de Luzon · 12th April 2018, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Would be difficult for it to be an early 20th cent. piece, as by 1898 it already was in Europe.

Very impressive! I'm curious about the history of this kris. Can you please share its provenance?

Kind regards,

Fernando

Gustav · 12th April 2018, 07:42 PM

Thank you, Fernando.

With some bigger certainty it is possible to say it came to Spain in (or before) 1898.

With some less certainty - the person who brought it is (or could be) Don Enrique Garcia Dacal. He was born in 1838, 1876 - 1878 Lieutenant Colonel of Infantery in Philippines, likely served there already before that. Left Philippines in 1885. Later (already since 1890) he was the last Military Governor of Abra district in Luzon.

10th April 2018, 12:30 PM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	Maguindanao twistcore Kris. Dear All, something a bit unusual. At 59,4 cm quite huge. It has 6 bars at the base of blade, the highest number I have seen on Kris so far, and 4 bars until the tip. The welding is done remarkably well. Besides that it has two unusual features that distinguish it from the rather uniform group of similar Maguindanao blades - a slightly different fullering at the base (it concerns a feature called Tikel Alis in Javanese Keris terminology); and the end of the middle panel - it's closed like an gothic arch, quite near to the tip. The curl at the end of "elephants trunk" is done very finely. Attached Images

10th April 2018, 12:51 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Best Yet! Well, this is spectacular and gorgeous - but you already know that! I'll look forward to the comments of our kris experts. There are some similarities with a kris I had presented previously that has 2 tracks except at the base where there are 3.

11th April 2018, 06:15 AM	#4
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	Truly beautiful example and nicely preserved (or restored?)

11th April 2018, 08:12 AM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	Thank you Lee, Kai and PBH. Until now I have noticed here 3 twistcore Kris with 4 bars running all the way through: two older style Sulu with dense twists: www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23692 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=moro+kris and Dave's Sutton Hoo Kris: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...twistcore+kris It's absolutely common for twistcores to have additional bars at the base of blade. No lottery Kai. Just saw some blades I liked (after a longer time) and luckily was able to acquire them. No sheath, you can't have it all. Would be difficult for it to be an early 20th cent. piece, as by 1898 it already was in Europe. No restoration, just cleaned it thoroughly. It had a protective coating and minimal rust in usual places.

11th April 2018, 09:11 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,195	An outstanding example of a Mindanao battle kris--the simple hilt indicates it was for use rather than show. A high datu quality piece in my opinion, perhaps for a panglima. The style suggests late 19th C. with excellent preservation. Congrats Gustav on finding such a high quality piece. Information about its provenance would be very helpful. You may be able to identify a particular owner, which would add greatly to its value. Ian.

11th April 2018, 03:59 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Congrats on one of the finest twistcores I have seen! I believe it certainly pre-20th century.

12th April 2018, 07:42 PM	#9
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	Thank you, Fernando. With some bigger certainty it is possible to say it came to Spain in (or before) 1898. With some less certainty - the person who brought it is (or could be) Don Enrique Garcia Dacal. He was born in 1838, 1876 - 1878 Lieutenant Colonel of Infantery in Philippines, likely served there already before that. Left Philippines in 1885. Later (already since 1890) he was the last Military Governor of Abra district in Luzon.