Antique kalis for comment

Ian · 25th August 2024, 12:20 AM

Age of this sword was discussed in the previous post.

I think the style of this one is atypical for Moro work. Its dress appears to be Sulu: the previous twin asang asang and the hilt style would suggest that. However, the blade is unusual. Although a kalis (i.e., waved blade), the waves are very shallow to the extent that sharpening of the edge has almost eliminated them in places. Shallow luk are fairly common on wider examples of kris mostly from the 19th and 20th C.

A central panel of twist core extends almost the whole length of the blade. This is unusual for Moro blades, but is seen fairly commonly on Malayan blades with such a central panel. Also, Malayan kris blades usually have no sogokan or "arrow head" structures. The presence of an odo-odo (mid-line ridge) running the length of the blade is also consistent with a Malayan blade.

I can't tell if this is a blade made by a Malayan, or a Malayan blade style made by a Moro. My guess is that it is a Malayan blade that has been dressed in the Sulu style. There seem to be a few of these around, but usually with straight blades (sundang).

25th August 2024, 12:20 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Origin of this sword blade Age of this sword was discussed in the previous post. I think the style of this one is atypical for Moro work. Its dress appears to be Sulu: the previous twin asang asang and the hilt style would suggest that. However, the blade is unusual. Although a kalis (i.e., waved blade), the waves are very shallow to the extent that sharpening of the edge has almost eliminated them in places. Shallow luk are fairly common on wider examples of kris mostly from the 19th and 20th C. A central panel of twist core extends almost the whole length of the blade. This is unusual for Moro blades, but is seen fairly commonly on Malayan blades with such a central panel. Also, Malayan kris blades usually have no sogokan or "arrow head" structures. The presence of an odo-odo (mid-line ridge) running the length of the blade is also consistent with a Malayan blade. I can't tell if this is a blade made by a Malayan, or a Malayan blade style made by a Moro. My guess is that it is a Malayan blade that has been dressed in the Sulu style. There seem to be a few of these around, but usually with straight blades (sundang). Last edited by Ian; 25th August 2024 at 12:32 AM.