Maranao battle kris

Gustav · 16th August 2012, 11:29 AM

The ferrules of hilt are silver, baca-baca looks like copper. most interesting is the cord attached to the hilt. I only once have seen very similar one in this thread, post#50:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...aranao+sundang

Is there some newer information about these cords? As I understand, Cato says they could be Anting-Anting like Munsala or designed to tie the kris to the hand.

Gustav · 16th August 2012, 11:39 AM

The sheath has an old repair, which I intend to do oncemore in a more careful way. The binding at the bottom end of stem seems to be an old fishing line. the both halves are secured with a small dowel, which could be original.

There are two markings (lines) at both ends of the stem. Perhaps metal bands were intended.

Gustav · 16th August 2012, 11:43 AM

I were also very thankful for any professional advice regarding cleaning and preserving this kris, especially the cord, becouse it is VERY fragile.

Sajen · 16th August 2012, 04:43 PM

Hello Gustav,

nice kris with great provenance!

I have watched this auction as well and when I decided to give a offer it was sold!

Be careful by cleaning the silver ferrules at the handle, most probable they are only silver plated. About the cord bands: I would let them like this and handle them careful, I have had the same problem, look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11830

BTW, great pictures!

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 16th August 2012, 10:50 PM

Thanks for posting this with the provenance. It helps so much. Supports the look which is Maguindanao (very close to Maranao).

As far as the cord is concerned, it may be both a mansala and a way of wrapping the hand around the hilt.

ThePepperSkull · 17th August 2012, 02:00 AM

I would have made an offer had I not already acquired a similar piece beforehand. That being said, I was watching with interest to see how much it went for. These straight-bladed maguindanao/maranao pieces are really beautiful. As a practitioner of eskrima and indonesian Silat, I really have come to appreciate the balance of simplicity and elegance in these pieces.

Beautiful Kris, wonderful provenance! I hope to hear more of Mr Crosley should you come around to finding anything else.

Gustav · 17th August 2012, 10:17 AM

Dear Detlef, Jose and PepperScull, thank you very much for your comments.

About the cleaning - I am inclined to preserve a certain "museum look" and clean the silver and wooden parts of it very minimaly. I just feel some discrepancy when I see an old hilt wrapping together with absolutely shining silver ferrules. It seems to me, this is the place, where the preservation of tribal art, where patina is very important, meets the keris culture.

Jose, does it mean, we see this kind of fretwork (Greneng) with holes only in Maguindanao?

16th August 2012, 11:29 AM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	The ferrules of hilt are silver, baca-baca looks like copper. most interesting is the cord attached to the hilt. I only once have seen very similar one in this thread, post#50: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...aranao+sundang Is there some newer information about these cords? As I understand, Cato says they could be Anting-Anting like Munsala or designed to tie the kris to the hand. Attached Images

16th August 2012, 11:39 AM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	The sheath has an old repair, which I intend to do oncemore in a more careful way. The binding at the bottom end of stem seems to be an old fishing line. the both halves are secured with a small dowel, which could be original. There are two markings (lines) at both ends of the stem. Perhaps metal bands were intended. Attached Images

16th August 2012, 11:43 AM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	I were also very thankful for any professional advice regarding cleaning and preserving this kris, especially the cord, becouse it is VERY fragile.

16th August 2012, 04:43 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,274	Hello Gustav, nice kris with great provenance! I have watched this auction as well and when I decided to give a offer it was sold! Be careful by cleaning the silver ferrules at the handle, most probable they are only silver plated. About the cord bands: I would let them like this and handle them careful, I have had the same problem, look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11830 BTW, great pictures! Regards, Detlef

16th August 2012, 10:50 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Thanks for posting this with the provenance. It helps so much. Supports the look which is Maguindanao (very close to Maranao). As far as the cord is concerned, it may be both a mansala and a way of wrapping the hand around the hilt.

17th August 2012, 02:00 AM	#6
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I would have made an offer had I not already acquired a similar piece beforehand. That being said, I was watching with interest to see how much it went for. These straight-bladed maguindanao/maranao pieces are really beautiful. As a practitioner of eskrima and indonesian Silat, I really have come to appreciate the balance of simplicity and elegance in these pieces. Beautiful Kris, wonderful provenance! I hope to hear more of Mr Crosley should you come around to finding anything else.

17th August 2012, 10:17 AM	#7
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	Dear Detlef, Jose and PepperScull, thank you very much for your comments. About the cleaning - I am inclined to preserve a certain "museum look" and clean the silver and wooden parts of it very minimaly. I just feel some discrepancy when I see an old hilt wrapping together with absolutely shining silver ferrules. It seems to me, this is the place, where the preservation of tribal art, where patina is very important, meets the keris culture. Jose, does it mean, we see this kind of fretwork (Greneng) with holes only in Maguindanao?