Estate Sale - Collections of Art and Weaponry
Lot 168:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea are a called a kris. The classic Moro kris is based heavily on the Indonesian keris but is distinctly larger and made purposefully for fighting. The kris has always been the most famous of all Moro weapons and there are a wide set of variation of blade types, handle forms, and materials. Generally all kris blades are wide at the base, double-edged, and can be waved, half-waved half straight, or straight in which case they were more practical in combat. Older kris had fewer waves and the waves were deeper and wider. Over time the waves became shallower, tighter, and more numerous and therefore required greater skill to prevent the blade bouncing off or being stuck in an enemy’s body. The higher number of waves meant the more potent the kris was in talismanic power such as this example. Sometimes engravings (often filled in with brass or silverinlay) are found on the blade in okir motifs (vines, foliage, etc.), Arabic script, or other esotericmotifs such as this example in the Schmiedt Collection. Many kris blades are forged with fullersand these are likely heavily influenced by Malay style keris called malela keris. One of the additional ways in which origins are identified are through the design of the elephant head trunk and cavity of the ganja. Generally Sulu kris have cavities which are elliptical in shape. The mouth cavity and lower jaw point downwards towards the base of the guard. Certain Mindanao kris have a similar form except that the mouth is round instead of oval and is not angled. The Maguindanao form is very similar to the Sulu style with an elliptical shape but it is not angled downwards and instead runs perpendicular to the guard. Later versions of this generally exhibit a ridge which has been chiseled into the outer metal that surrounds both sides of the mouth hollow. The Maranao form has an elongated trunk while the mouth cavity is narrow and the lower jaw runs parallel to the guard. While Sulu and Maguindanao forms have a concave cavity beneath the lower jaw, the Maranao form does not and instead has a protrusion that juts out from beneath it (Cato 1996).This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine example of Giant proportions, with a large danganan carved hard-stone pommel in fine condition. The handle itself with gilded brass and filigree bands near the pommel and ganja. The 23 luk waved blade has a fine patina and is attached through the hilt through two asang asang clamps. The ganja and cavity form indicates this is a crossover Maguindanao and Sulu origin. Dating to the early 20th century. The blade is 19th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 41 3/4" Blade Length : 32 1/2". This lot ships within USA ONLY, except CA, and NJ. No international shipping. References: 1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore. 2. Barados, D., (1995) Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines, San Francisco Craft & Folk Museum, 1995. 3. Casal, G. et al, (1981) The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum of Cultural History. 4. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of the Philippine islands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print Off. 5. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art.Macau6. Wetzler, S. (2020) Steel and Magic. Edged Weapons of the Malay Archipelago. Edition Fichter, Frankfurt am Main. ~~ DEAR BIDDERS, Please View More Detailed Close-Up Images by visiting our website – Sofedesignauctions.com ~ Thank you ! ~~~~~~. Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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