Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 13th June 2023, 02:17 AM   #1
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kai View Post
Thanks, Ray, that is a very elegant blade as far as non-archaic pieces are concerned!

I'd guess this dates back to the mid-19th century. Also twistcore is rare with diamond cross-sections. Could you add dimensions, please?

Do you have pics of the original configuration even if damaged?

I'm afraid that I don't see much semblance of the crosspiece carving with the Filipino style shown; especially the mediterranean Acanthus motif seems to be missing. I'd rather posit that there seem to be Melayu ties: While most Malay motifs represent flowers with radial symmetry, a few may be shown in profile; also the vegetal/vine motif seems to be closer IMHO. For example, fairly similar flowers are shown in "Spirit of Wood" on pages 86-87 (top figure).

If not traditional Moro/Sulu ukkil, maybe more recent influence via Brunei?

Regards,
Kai
Hi Kai! Really grateful for your insights- I'm always happy to be proven wrong, especially since I need to learn more about patterns. I'm attaching a pic of the orig hilt config. I don't have a copy of the book you mentioned- but I'm trying to dig for one. I agree the Malay angle may be more logical as far as influence is concerned. As for measurement, it's 21in blade, 5.5in hilt (the replacement hilt grip has the exact measurement as the orig- I'd like to think that was fate at play!).
Attached Images
 
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 03:37 AM   #2
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,396
Default

Very nice sword Xas, and even better resto work. Congratulations.
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 10:43 AM   #3
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian View Post
Very nice sword Xas, and even better resto work. Congratulations.
Thanks very much Ian
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 11:05 AM   #4
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default

Nice buying xasterix, and sweet blade.

Carved Sampir are not all that common... I've referenced what examples I have on file and whilst most are loosely ths profile shape, none carry the same or similar motifs.
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 03:05 PM   #5
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent View Post
Nice buying xasterix, and sweet blade.

Carved Sampir are not all that common... I've referenced what examples I have on file and whilst most are loosely ths profile shape, none carry the same or similar motifs.
Thanks Gavin! The carving motif is indeed interesting, hoping to get to the bottom of it
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 09:42 PM   #6
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,195
Default

Very nice and interesting kris! Congrats Xas.

Here a picture from the pages Kai mentioned before.

Regards,
Detlef
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th June 2023, 08:05 AM   #7
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,396
Default

Xas,

On looking more closely at your pictures of the Luzon furniture and the kris scabbard, I think the plants are actually different. I've blown up both pics.

On the scabbard you can see distinct flowers, with the central ovule and three surrounding petals. There may be two different flowers represented on the scabbard if you compare the most central one with the others (pointed versus rounded leaves).

On the furniture, the three-lobed structures have no central ovule and are probably not flowers. They are multi-layered and could be seed pods or perhaps leaf buds, but not flowers. Lovely carving BTW.

I think you are looking at different botanical species in each picture.

Ian.
.
Attached Images
  
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th June 2023, 09:05 AM   #8
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen View Post
Very nice and interesting kris! Congrats Xas.

Here a picture from the pages Kai mentioned before.

Regards,
Detlef
Thanks very much for this Detlef! Super helpful!
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th June 2023, 07:20 AM   #9
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by xasterix View Post
Thanks Gavin! The carving motif is indeed interesting, hoping to get to the bottom of it
I look at this and immediately think Sulu by the sheath profile overall... but I look at the carvings, and without any notable reference to compare to by design specifically, there is something in the manner of the carving that seems Samal to me... does anyone have good timber carving references for the Southern Sulu regions?

On the off chance that the Met holds a kris with carvings to the sheath, this might be worth a follow up.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collec...nce&pageSize=0
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th June 2023, 03:51 PM   #10
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent View Post
I look at this and immediately think Sulu by the sheath profile overall... but I look at the carvings, and without any notable reference to compare to by design specifically, there is something in the manner of the carving that seems Samal to me... does anyone have good timber carving references for the Southern Sulu regions?

On the off chance that the Met holds a kris with carvings to the sheath, this might be worth a follow up.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collec...nce&pageSize=0
Halloo Gavin, I've been told by an elder that the carved pattern on the scabbard is non-Moro. It doesn't fall under 'ukkil' or 'okir' either, which the Sama use. Thanks and great find on the Met item- I'll try to contact them, fingers crossed!
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd June 2023, 05:08 AM   #11
kino
Member
 
kino's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,018
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent View Post
... does anyone have good timber carving references for the Southern Sulu regions?
Gavin, Have you seen this publication?
Attached Images
 
kino is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.