A Moro Kriss...or Not???

CharlesS · 20th February 2005, 04:59 PM

Here is a recently acquired kriss that at first glance says "Moro", but there are just enough unique features to make me wonder if it is, indeed, Moro. The blade is lighter than most Moro pieces, though perfectly balanced for a vicious blow. It is of a laminated pattern, and features connecting circular talismans. The scabbard is especially unique with its intricate carving and bone and horn chape.

Any input or comments are most appreciated.

nechesh · 20th February 2005, 05:33 PM

I'm sure others with more knowledge of the Moro will pipe in, but to my eye this would appear to be all Moro. Perhaps that long, deep fuller can be held partly responsible for the lighter weight. Nice sword.

Rick · 20th February 2005, 05:39 PM

Ahem , yes , I'll take 3 please .

Surely looks Moro to me .

Radu Transylvanicus · 20th February 2005, 06:12 PM

At firstglance I would say its either made by/for the Audi or the Olympic Comitee , it would be a nice, representative piece if the Olympic Bangsamoro bobsled and fencing team alternates... ok, its Moro

Ian · 20th February 2005, 06:50 PM

Chuck:

Albert Van Zonneveld uses the term sundang to desribe the large double-edged kris that we associate with the Moros. He lists similar sundang as coming from Kalimantan and Sulawesi, as well as the Philippines and Sulu Archipelago. Figure 550 of v. Zooneveld's Tradtional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago shows a Kalimantan sundang ("kris") that resembles your example: a single asang asang, a large central fuller, and a hilt having a small kakatua pommel. It actually looks very similar to the one you show, but v. Zonneveld's picture is too small to see any finely engraved details. [I wonder if it would be possible to have his pictures reproduced on the web at greater resolution than in the book, or maybe on a CD that we could buy from him? Are you out there, Albert? The only criticism I have of your book is the minute pictures for many, many pieces.]

The scabbard strikes me as possibly not very old, a replacement perhaps, while the okir designs around the throat are evocative of Moro decorations.

Probably a Moro variant, but we seem not to have identified kris from other sources very well, so it is hard to exclude Kalimantan, Sulawesi, etc.

CharlesS · 20th February 2005, 08:35 PM

Thanks Ian....Kalimantan is exactly what I was wondering, also based on Zonneveld's, but wanted to see if anytone else thought in that direction.

As for the scabbard, its quite old, and I would be very surprised if it were NOT original to the sword.

Naga Basuki · 20th February 2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radu Transylvanicus

At firstglance I would say its either made by/for the Audi or the Olympic Comitee , it would be a nice, representative piece if the Olympic Bangsamoro bobsled and fencing team alternates... ok, its Moro

LMRAO!

Ian · 20th February 2005, 11:43 PM

Chuck:

Now that you mention it, the scabbard does seem to have some age, and I like the use of different materials on its toe -- not usual Moro work IMHO. Any chance you might bring this one to Timonium next month?

20th February 2005, 04:59 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	A Moro Kriss...or Not??? Here is a recently acquired kriss that at first glance says "Moro", but there are just enough unique features to make me wonder if it is, indeed, Moro. The blade is lighter than most Moro pieces, though perfectly balanced for a vicious blow. It is of a laminated pattern, and features connecting circular talismans. The scabbard is especially unique with its intricate carving and bone and horn chape. Any input or comments are most appreciated. Attached Images

20th February 2005, 05:33 PM	#2
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I'm sure others with more knowledge of the Moro will pipe in, but to my eye this would appear to be all Moro. Perhaps that long, deep fuller can be held partly responsible for the lighter weight. Nice sword.

20th February 2005, 05:39 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Ahem , yes , I'll take 3 please . Surely looks Moro to me .

20th February 2005, 06:12 PM	#4
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	At firstglance I would say its either made by/for the Audi or the Olympic Comitee , it would be a nice, representative piece if the Olympic Bangsamoro bobsled and fencing team alternates... ok, its Moro

20th February 2005, 06:50 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Chuck: Albert Van Zonneveld uses the term sundang to desribe the large double-edged kris that we associate with the Moros. He lists similar sundang as coming from Kalimantan and Sulawesi, as well as the Philippines and Sulu Archipelago. Figure 550 of v. Zooneveld's Tradtional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago shows a Kalimantan sundang ("kris") that resembles your example: a single asang asang, a large central fuller, and a hilt having a small kakatua pommel. It actually looks very similar to the one you show, but v. Zonneveld's picture is too small to see any finely engraved details. [I wonder if it would be possible to have his pictures reproduced on the web at greater resolution than in the book, or maybe on a CD that we could buy from him? Are you out there, Albert? The only criticism I have of your book is the minute pictures for many, many pieces.] The scabbard strikes me as possibly not very old, a replacement perhaps, while the okir designs around the throat are evocative of Moro decorations. Probably a Moro variant, but we seem not to have identified kris from other sources very well, so it is hard to exclude Kalimantan, Sulawesi, etc.

20th February 2005, 08:35 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks Ian....Kalimantan is exactly what I was wondering, also based on Zonneveld's, but wanted to see if anytone else thought in that direction. As for the scabbard, its quite old, and I would be very surprised if it were NOT original to the sword.

20th February 2005, 11:43 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Chuck: Now that you mention it, the scabbard does seem to have some age, and I like the use of different materials on its toe -- not usual Moro work IMHO. Any chance you might bring this one to Timonium next month?