Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 1:
Good 19th C. Philippine Mindanao Moro Kris Sword ~ Rare Twist-Core Damascus Blade.This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea areacalled a kris. The classic Moro kris is based heavily on the Indonesian keris but is distinctlylarger and made purposefully for fighting. The kris has always been the most famous of allMoro 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 halfstraight, or straight in which case they were more practical in combat. Older kris had fewerwaves and the waves were deeper and wider. Over time the waves became shallower, tighter, andmore numerous and therefore required greater skill to prevent the blade bouncing off or beingstuck in an enemyâ€â„¢s body. The higher number of waves meant the more potent the kris was intalismanic power. Sometimes engravings (often filled in with brass or silver inlay) are found onthe blade in okir motifs (vines, foliage, etc.) or Arabic script. Many kris blades are forged withfullers and these are likely heavily influenced by Malay style keris called malela keris (keris isthe Malay and Indonesian term for a dagger of similar but different form, while kris is used forPhilippine swords which are larger and more distinct in form). Older kris before the 19thcentury tended to be smaller in size. Laminated steel patterns are also sometimes evident. One ofthe other key defining features of almost all kris blade is the ganja, or the portion of the blade atthe base and which on genuine antique example is welded on, has opposite the hook likefretwork is a cavity in the form of an elephant, eagle, or the mouth of a naga (a mythical snake). This example in the Schmiedt Collection of fine quality. The hilt a simple straight handled formwith a flat pommel. The handle woven with twine. The 13 luk (the luk refers to the waves in theblade) is secured to the handle through the use of dual clamps called asang-asang in Tausug andbaca-baca in Maguindanao languages. The blade is an especially interesting example with aniron structure of distinctive form. The blade has been etched to bring out this pattern whichshows a seemingly different and likely softer iron core and hardened outer edge. This form ofsmithing done by the Moro panday (bladesmith) is similar to have swords in China and Japanwhich were made with an inner softer core that would provide flexibility to the blade while theouter edge would be hardened and provide the strength and sharpened cutting edge.Late 19th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 25 1/2"Blade Length : 22 1/4"References:1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore2. 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 CulturalHistory4. Combes, F. (1667) Historia de Mindanao y Joló, por el p. Francisco CombÃĩs … Obra publicadaen Madrid en 1667, y que ahora con la colaboración del p. Pablo Pastells … sacanuevamente á luz W. E. Retana. Madrid: [Viuda de M. Minuesa de los Rios]5. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of the Philippineislands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print. Off..6. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art. Macau 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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