Moro Decoration

Interested Party · 17th December 2023, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

I believe it’s kianoko - fingernail impression.
You’ll see these repeated on Baka-baka’s and asang-asang’s
I’ve seen it on early 19th century Kris’

Thank you. So this is a style dating at least to the early 1800s. Is this date for the horizontal bands as in the diagram or the diagonal elements as in the three examples shown earlier, or both? Do you think it is called fingernail impression because of its shape or its method of manufacture? On baka-baka it would surely need to be a punch. Once I got looking and thinking I now see this basic shape as a ubiquitous element in Moro design being utilized in many different patterns. I appreciate you posting the diagram with the vocabulary.

Battara · 19th December 2023, 10:58 PM

Hi kids!

Yes this "fingernail" ukkil motif is very common in Sulu silver, wood, and stone work. It also exists in Maranao and Maguindanao work, but Sulu regional work uses this the most and even all by itself.

You'll see it more often on barung, but sometimes on kris/kalis hilts as well.

19th December 2023, 10:58 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	Hi kids! Yes this "fingernail" ukkil motif is very common in Sulu silver, wood, and stone work. It also exists in Maranao and Maguindanao work, but Sulu regional work uses this the most and even all by itself. You'll see it more often on barung, but sometimes on kris/kalis hilts as well.