Philippene/Malay (?) kris with naga

[kai]

Hello Eric,

As the others have mentioned, certainly not Moro work. Kris from Brunei seem to be very close to Sulu work, too.

I can't positively prove that this wasn't made on the Malay peninsula. Based on the features at the base of the blade, I'm inclined to believe that this piece was made by a Madurese pande...

IMHO, it would be interesting to stain the blade.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

....., I'm inclined to believe that this piece was made by a Madurese pande...

Hello Kai,

May I ask why you think so? Is it the scrolled greneng at the gonjo?
I've noticed this feature and let me think in this direction but all other features I can see by the pictures let me think to see an old blade here and not something recently worked on Madura. But like always I could be wrong.

Regards,
Detlef

[Klop]

Thanks Detlef, meanwhile i've been catching up on old threads with "sundang" and also saw the birdheaded keris, that's a stunning piece.

But I think a more stylized (cockatoo) head would also be fine - and less difficult to carve. I won't dare to say I'm a pro but I do have some woodworking skills, given time I'll make a handle and possibly a sheath and show it here.

About madura -I don't see that too, blade shape and size don't fit the bill. Looking at all the signs I also don't believe this blade has been produced recently - but Kai also never claimed it was recent. Or that it was made on Madura for that matter, he just mentioned a madurese smith. When or where is another thing.

Recap: Phillippenes have been ruled out definately, most votes are for malaysia, and some thoughts of Sumatra or a Madurese smith (who might have migrated somewhere else a century ago).

I don't see a curved ganja with scroll at the end (dhunkul) in other pictures of sundang. All in all we'll never be sure where it's from because it's a mix of style elements, let's call it keris campur :-)

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Klop

About madura -I don't see that too, blade shape and size don't fit the bill. Looking at all the signs I also don't believe this blade has been produced recently - but Kai also never claimed it was recent. Or that it was made on Madura for that matter, he just mentioned a madurese smith. When or where is another thing.

Hello Eric,

I am not aware of old/antique Madurese keris sundang, so I guess that Kai have had a recent manufacture in mind!

Regards,
Detlef