Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 205:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea area 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. Sometimes engravings (often filled in with brass or silver inlay) are found on the blade in okir motifs (vines, foliage, etc.), Arabic script, or other esoteric motifs such as this example in the Schmiedt Collection. Most commonly found are inlaid silver dots. This form of decoration is also found on Bornean Dayak swords, but not on other Philippine swords from other regions beside the Moro lands. The decoration therefore is likely influenced from the Borneo Dayak swords, though the forms of the blades are distinctly Moro.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 inshape. 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. 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 superb example of a high quality Sulu kris dating to the 19th century. This style of blade hearkens to the archaic form from the 18th century but is larger indicating 19th century workmanship. The pommel is a beautifully carved danangan form with an oversized kakatua. The handle is very finely wrapped in darkened twine and set with silver rings and pommel and guard bands. The 5 luk blade is a superb example, displaying lamellation beneath the silver inlay decoration. This is one of the most decorated of this form of blade displaying silver inlaid dots on almost every portion of the blade surface which is then engraved underneath the silver inlay. Dated 19th century. Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 25 1/2" Blade Length : 21 1/4".Shipping is available ONLY within USA, except CA and NJ. No international shipping.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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