|
17th August 2019, 10:03 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 143
|
Hi david , im no expert but i guessed it must be a moro hilt though very small, i have added some more pics of the hilt and as you can see the pommel can be removed , im not sure if its ivory or not ?
i have taken a picture of it against what is allready a small moro hilt to give it some perspective |
18th August 2019, 12:33 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 415
|
No expertise here either, but it has the look of bone to me.
Aside from the appearance of bone, the dagger has a utilitarian look, on which I doubt ivory would be used. |
19th August 2019, 04:00 AM | #3 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,141
|
This is definitely a Moro, possibly Sulu, hilt.
Lots of trade between the Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos. I have seen Indonesian kerises owned by Moro datus. There are many Moro kris hilts and krises that were made for children of datus. Perhaps this hilt is one of them onto a traded keris as a gift. |
19th August 2019, 08:47 AM | #4 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,740
|
Quote:
|
|
19th August 2019, 05:02 PM | #5 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,047
|
Quote:
I am not aware that all ivory kris pommels were only for ceremonial weapons Bob. Certainly the more elaborate junggayan pommels on datu class kris didn't see much action, but the more simplified ivory kakatau pommels i think may well of graced the hilts of kris that saw more use. |
|
20th August 2019, 01:48 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,737
|
Those lines that are present on the sides of this material look a lot like the lines that we see on cow/buffalo/sheep horn. I think we can rule out sheep, but how about white water buffalo (kerbau) horn?
|
20th August 2019, 05:34 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,223
|
Hello Alan,
No, albino water buffalo is yellowish with quite some translucence. While the delamination does resemble horn, the material does look like bone to me. There hardly is any difference to the grip which evidently is bone... Regards, Kai |
20th August 2019, 06:18 PM | #8 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,268
|
Two Cents
The purchase and sale of antique marine ivory (for scrimshaw) is still legal in Massachusetts where I live.
I've seen my fair share of examples close up and that really looks like marine ivory to me. Possibly Dugong. |
20th August 2019, 09:44 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,223
|
Hello Rick,
I would not want to exclude tooth/ivory for the pommel; however the craftsmanship is unusual, especially the rather rough finish. From the dimensions, this is unlikely to be dugong; spermwhale is much more common in these waters/cultures (as is use of elephant sources). Regards, Kai |
|
|