Garuda Kris

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ian

Thanks Gavin. I guess the date of death eliminates Ali. Datu Piang is certainly present, standing on the right of the central figure. These pictures were often carefully staged, with the most locally important person in the middle. I will need to go back and look at my Datu pics from that era. Ali and Piang were raised together in the Sultan's household.

It will be interesting to see what you turn up there Ian.

I've some speculation about the young figures front and centre.

Datu Piang had many children to many wives. Data I suspect can be inaccurate, but within reason. I read that he had 19 wives & 34 children, although only a few reached any prominence.

Those young men front and centre could be family, as was the norm within Datu circles to appoint family, and provide with rank and title.

Given that the youth to the left, within the photo above, carries a kris with same hulu design as the Kris being carried by the sword bearer, I suspect he is very close to Datu Piang.

When I look at one of the better known image of Datu Piang from 1899, and the young boys brought forth for the photo, clothed as Datu Piang is, and a third child behind Datu Piang, it could be these two boys later in life who are pictured in the group. The gent to the far right could be Datu Piang's Pandita???

[Ian]

Thanks Gavin. The handsome guy next to Piang, the officer (?) with the moustache, looks like J.J. Pershing who took up his post in Mindanao in the second half of 1899.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ian

Thanks Gavin. The handsome guy next to Piang, the officer (?) with the moustache, looks like J.J. Pershing who took up his post in Mindanao in the second half of 1899.

The other interesting thing is Piang was well known for gifting all sorts of things, including weapons, from Lantaka to knives depending on the rank or importance of the US Officer. Could the double lantaka under Piang's foot is one such gift.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

The other interesting thing is Piang was well known for gifting all sorts of things, including weapons, from Lantaka to knives depending on the rank or importance of the US Officer. Could the double lantaka under Piang's foot is one such gift.

Could be. The two lantaka are a matched pair with the external spiral grooves going in opposite directions. They look old but perhaps still serviceable. They would have made a handsome gift for an American officer. Piang was an astute reader of people, but I doubt he would have foreseen that Pershing would become a four star General and hold the position of General of the Army!

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ian

Could be. The two lantaka are a matched pair with the external spiral grooves going in opposite directions. They look old but perhaps still serviceable. They would have made a handsome gift for an American officer. Piang was an astute reader of people, but I doubt he would have foreseen that Pershing would become a four star General and hold the position of General of the Army!

It was noted lantaka were only for Generals.

I suspect Taft probably took some fine things home with him after his introduction with Piang.

Junior officers were not left out either, they received Chickens most commonly.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ian

Could be. The two lantaka are a matched pair with the external spiral grooves going in opposite directions.

Ian, is a "Matched" pair the correct lens where that lantaka is concerned?

The barrels are joined by an integral central rib running front to back, and are retained in a single pivot and articulation. I only see a single double barreled Lantaka.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Ian, is a "Matched" pair the correct lens where that lantaka is concerned?

The barrels are joined by an integral central rib running front to back, and are retained in a single pivot and articulation. I only see a single double barreled Lantaka.

Hi Gavin,

Yes, it is a double lantaka (two complete lantaka joined together), which I noticed at the time I made my post. They were not two lantaka that were plain, looked alike, and got married. They were actually designed and made to be a complementary pair (i.e., "matched"), albeit joined together into a single entity.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Gavin,

Yes, it is a double lantaka (two complete lantaka joined together), which I noticed at the time I made my post. They were not two lantaka that were plain, looked alike, and got married. They were actually designed and made to be a complementary pair (i.e., "matched"), albeit joined together into a single entity.

Thanks Ian,

I struggle with the terminology personally. (INSERTING BROKEN SHRUG EMOJI)