Unusual kris with shell guard

[kai]

I'd posit that we certainly have a pattern here!

Despite minor differences, the 2 wavy blades have obviously been crafted in the same, unique style and also have the same type of shell guard; moreover, Barry's blade is clearly from the same tradition as already noted by Gustav! And all 3 of them come with a hilt whose close relationship with the typical minasbad hilt can't be a mere coincidence and is certainly the most important feature for placing these enigmas.

Looking at the base features from a Moro POV, I agree with David that the blade esthetics are off. IMHO this (together with the consistant but unique style) clearly shows that these 3 pieces are very unlikely to have originated from a Moro (expat) community and most likely represent an acculturation by another ethnic group.

Actually this Bicol piece is not a kris.

I am not that sure, Jose. If we accept Lumad swords with kris-like base features as Lumad kris, we should also call these Bicolano kris IMVHO.

I am on record for not supporting Visayan "undulated swords" to be called kris since (except for a number of trade/booty Moro blades that got refitted in Visayan style) I see very little which supports the notion of a tradition entering another culture (rather than reproducing one or two features of a - literally - striking foreign icon).

These 3 blades are something different: they are representing an unique style of craftmanship while obviously trying to preserve most features of a Moro kris bauplan even down to minor details: IMHO this is a genuine offshoot of the evolving keris/kris tradition despite coming from a non-Hindu/non-Islamic culture.

Congrats, Carlos and Barry!

Regards,
Kai