Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 148:
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 enemy’s body.One of the additional ways in which origins are identified are through the design of the elephanthead trunk and cavity of the ganja. Generally Sulu kris have cavities which are elliptical inshape. The mouth cavity and lower jaw point downwards towards the base of the guard. CertainMindanao kris have a similar form except that the mouth is round instead of oval and is notangled. The Maguindanao form is similar to the Sulu style with an elliptical shape but it is notangled downwards and instead runs perpendicular to the guard. Later versions of this generallyexhibit a ridge which has been chiseled into the outer metal that surrounds both sides of themouth hollow. The Maranao form has an elongated trunk while the mouth cavity is narrow andthe lower jaw runs parallel to the guard. While Sulu and Maguindanao forms have a concavecavity beneath the lower jaw, the Maranao form does not and instead has a protrusion that jutsout from beneath it (Cato 1996).This example in the Schmiedt Collection is an interesting example displaying a series ofdecorative elements rarely found on Moro kris and more commonly found in other Morodecorative arts. The entire composition of the handle and the scabbard is made of brass orcopper and then inlaid in silver. Other types of Moro decorative arts, specifically associated withthe Maranao in Lanao and Cotabato, such as gadors (brass jars inlaid in silver) are often made inthis exact manner. The motifs in silver inlay on the scabbard include bands of stylised orchids(obar-obar) and rope twist (obid-obid) borders. This type of decoration has its origins inwoodcarving (Fraser-Lu 1989). The brassware of the Southern Philippines is closely related tothat cast in other areas of Southeast Asia. It is likely that the technique was introduced to theMaranao through close ties with Brunei a well-known area for brassware production. Howeverthe inlaying of floral and geometric patterns using silver alloy is unique to Maranao work andmakes their brassware distinctive. This type of idiosyncratic decoration likely dates this piece tothe 20th century as older examples do not utilize this form of composition. The overall form however closely associated with other Moro kris and in this case the form of the pommel iscalled a danganan, which is an oversize kakatua form. The scabbard with the enlarged chape andricasso area also associate with the form found on enlarged Datu’s kris. Finally, the blade is aclassic form and the ganja form and cavity also are associated with the Maranao.Dating to the first half of 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : Blade Length : References:1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore2. Barados, D., (1995) Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines, San FranciscoCraft & Folk Museum, 1995.3. Casal, G. et al, (1981) The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum ofCultural History4. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of thePhilippine 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.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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