Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 228:
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 distinctlylarger and made purposefully for fighting. 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. Many kris blades are forged with fullers and 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 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 notangled. 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 thisgenerally exhibit a ridge which has been chiseled into the outer metal that surrounds both sides of the mouth hollow (Cato 1996).This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine example showing the long lifespan these swords would have in Moro communities. The sword itself is likely late 19th centuryMaguindanao workmanship with a very fine blade with a distinctive geometry and crisp fullers.The blade is further inlaid with silver dots encircling the base which is now covered by a silver or other metal plate, likely added later during the period of the scabbard which is likely mid-20th century. The plate likely covers the triangular fullering found on kris of this blade form. The handle is a classic Maguindanao/Sulu crossover with a finely carved pommel and handle wrapped in twine. The scabbard is a later addition made for the blade and composed of wood with decorative scales at the chape and the upper portion, inlaid with silver dots and semiprecious stones. These uncommon decorative elements indicate mid-20th century manufacture for the scabbard.Dates to the late 19th to early 20th century comprehensively.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 29" Blade Length : 24 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 Cultural History4. 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.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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