Budiak with okir

Rick · 10th December 2023, 06:31 AM

Hi Ian,
Yes I have a kris with this style of decoration. There's a picture of it somewhere in the archives. It's not a toy but a serviceable weapon, yet it seems like something made to catch the eye of 'those who travel for pleasure'. There is no subtlety in its decoration, and it seems a bit coarser compared to older Moro swords.
My guess on the era of these design elements would be the 1920s to the early 1950s. I can't offer any concrete proof; it's just the feeling that I get about this style of decoration; it lacks subtlety and refinement. The forging skills are there but the decoration seems like it was done hurriedly.
I have also noticed about these examples is that they lack the pointy curves that we see so often in later Moro work.

10th December 2023, 06:31 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hi Ian, Yes I have a kris with this style of decoration. There's a picture of it somewhere in the archives. It's not a toy but a serviceable weapon, yet it seems like something made to catch the eye of 'those who travel for pleasure'. There is no subtlety in its decoration, and it seems a bit coarser compared to older Moro swords. My guess on the era of these design elements would be the 1920s to the early 1950s. I can't offer any concrete proof; it's just the feeling that I get about this style of decoration; it lacks subtlety and refinement. The forging skills are there but the decoration seems like it was done hurriedly. I have also noticed about these examples is that they lack the pointy curves that we see so often in later Moro work.