Just Acquired 2 Kris' & 2 Kalinga axes - Seeking help...

Battara · 19th February 2010, 04:08 AM

Oh sure without question a full wrap. I agree. I also agree that the Kalinga pieces like these are the best of the lot. Good Kalinga pieces are getting harder to come by. And then the provenance.........

laEspadaAncha · 19th February 2010, 05:42 AM

Thank you both Battara & Rick... the deal I struck with my wife was if I keep one of the Kalingas, she won't use the 2nd one on me!

I had found a similar example in the on-line catalog of the Macao Museum of Art's "Steel of Eastern Asia" exhibit dated to the 19th century:

Close-up of similar inlay:

The above example is catalog item #194 (click here for link), though the ration of height-to-length of the two I acquired appear to more closely resemble #192. But aside from the most cursory recognition of form, I know nothing regarding the evolution of design and material usage of the head axe...

So is there a developing consensus on the approximate age of both the axes and the blade on the (presumably re-hilted) kris?

Battara · 19th February 2010, 04:05 PM

Again I would place both around the beginning of the 20 century.

ThePepperSkull · 9th March 2010, 04:50 AM

There's something beautiful about a blade like this being restored with such care, even with all the degradation that went on. In fact, i think it even adds to the aesthetic of the blade.

VANDOO · 10th March 2010, 04:50 AM

A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE ONE KERIS HAS THE SUPERIOR, OLDER BLADE AND IS IN BETTER CONDITION, BUT A HANDLE THAT REALLY PUTS ME OFF.
THE OTHER HAS BOTH ORIGINAL BACA BACA STRAPS AND PART OF THE WRAP AND A SCABBARD BUT THE BLADE IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE AND LIKELY IMPOSIBLE TO RESTORE WITHOUT RUINING IT.
THE BLADE IS THE HEART OF A WEAPON FITTINGS ARE JUST CLOTHEING.
THE AX WITH THE INSET METAL DESIGN IS LIKE A SPEAR AND AN AX I HAVE THAT WERE BOTH COLLECTED IN THE 1930'S IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAD SOME AX'S IN THE MACAU EXHIBT AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THEM. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T LAY MY HANDS ON MY CATALOG RIGHT NOW TO SEE.

laEspadaAncha · 10th March 2010, 05:33 PM

Howdy V,

So that head axe in the Macao exhibit was yours, eh? That one is indeed a very close match IMO. Rest assured however, these did not come from that exhibit (if I read your post correctly), as they were originally collected mid-century (as per the OP). FWIW, I decided some time back to keep the first kris. The handle - at least in form - does not seem that dissimilar to other examples in the same Macao exhibit (though those with much more exposure and experience with PI weaponry may disagree).

ThePepperSkull - As I will be holding on to the first kris, I will eventually be parting with this one...

Thanks again to all the members of the forum who were so helpful... As someone who's collection runs the gamut from China to Chippewa, from Berber to Bowie to Black Watch and back, the scope of my collection has all the focus of a caffeinated ferret with ADD. As such, and with rare exception, my reference material is similarly broad in nature. You guys are a wonderful and greatly appreciated resource, and your input is always welcomed with no small measure of gratitude.

19th February 2010, 04:08 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Oh sure without question a full wrap. I agree. I also agree that the Kalinga pieces like these are the best of the lot. Good Kalinga pieces are getting harder to come by. And then the provenance.........

19th February 2010, 05:42 AM	#2
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thank you both Battara & Rick... the deal I struck with my wife was if I keep one of the Kalingas, she won't use the 2nd one on me! I had found a similar example in the on-line catalog of the Macao Museum of Art's "Steel of Eastern Asia" exhibit dated to the 19th century: Close-up of similar inlay: The above example is catalog item #194 (click here for link), though the ration of height-to-length of the two I acquired appear to more closely resemble #192. But aside from the most cursory recognition of form, I know nothing regarding the evolution of design and material usage of the head axe... So is there a developing consensus on the approximate age of both the axes and the blade on the (presumably re-hilted) kris?

19th February 2010, 04:05 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Again I would place both around the beginning of the 20 century.

9th March 2010, 04:50 AM	#4
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	There's something beautiful about a blade like this being restored with such care, even with all the degradation that went on. In fact, i think it even adds to the aesthetic of the blade.

10th March 2010, 04:50 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE ONE KERIS HAS THE SUPERIOR, OLDER BLADE AND IS IN BETTER CONDITION, BUT A HANDLE THAT REALLY PUTS ME OFF. THE OTHER HAS BOTH ORIGINAL BACA BACA STRAPS AND PART OF THE WRAP AND A SCABBARD BUT THE BLADE IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE AND LIKELY IMPOSIBLE TO RESTORE WITHOUT RUINING IT. THE BLADE IS THE HEART OF A WEAPON FITTINGS ARE JUST CLOTHEING. THE AX WITH THE INSET METAL DESIGN IS LIKE A SPEAR AND AN AX I HAVE THAT WERE BOTH COLLECTED IN THE 1930'S IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAD SOME AX'S IN THE MACAU EXHIBT AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THEM. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T LAY MY HANDS ON MY CATALOG RIGHT NOW TO SEE.

10th March 2010, 05:33 PM	#6
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Howdy V, So that head axe in the Macao exhibit was yours, eh? That one is indeed a very close match IMO. Rest assured however, these did not come from that exhibit (if I read your post correctly), as they were originally collected mid-century (as per the OP). FWIW, I decided some time back to keep the first kris. The handle - at least in form - does not seem that dissimilar to other examples in the same Macao exhibit (though those with much more exposure and experience with PI weaponry may disagree). ThePepperSkull - As I will be holding on to the first kris, I will eventually be parting with this one... Thanks again to all the members of the forum who were so helpful... As someone who's collection runs the gamut from China to Chippewa, from Berber to Bowie to Black Watch and back, the scope of my collection has all the focus of a caffeinated ferret with ADD. As such, and with rare exception, my reference material is similarly broad in nature. You guys are a wonderful and greatly appreciated resource, and your input is always welcomed with no small measure of gratitude.