Islamic Philippines Kris

Islamic Kris with Silver & Brass Mounts

This kris has the typical form of those of the Islamic southern Philippines. The hilt is encased in silver, that has been partly gilded (gold plated). It comprises bands of scrolling vegetal motifs separated by bands of pearled wire.

The pommel is of wood, carved in the form of a stylised parrot. The top of the pommel and a section on either side are encased in sheet silver engraved with more scrolling vegetal motifs.

The scabbard is of wood and is decorated with three wide bands of engraved silver, with the top of the scabbard having the classic ‘boat’ shape.

The blade is of steel and of the wavy type. The blade guard is decorated with numerous serrations and designs and has two silver ‘stirrups’ to each side which are engraved with a cross hatched motif.

The kris is in fine condition and is heavy-in-the hand. The blade fits snugly into the scabbard without gaps.

The kris was probably introduced to the Sulu Archipelago by Bugis merchants whose ancestral lands are in south Sulawesi but who settled and travelled across what is today Indonesia and the southern Malay Pensinsula. Krises are supposed to have talismanic properties – certainly those of Java, Bali and other parts of Indonesia – are imbued with magical properties. But in Sulu and Mindanao, they developed into heavier and more lethal fighting forms. They also symbolised power and prestige and so became weapons of war and ceremony. They were used by the Tuasug, Yakan, Sama Tausug, Maranao and Maguindanao peoples of the Sulu and Mindanao Sultanates.

Afable, P., et al, Philippines: an Archipelago of Exchange, ACTES SUD/ Musee du Quai Branly, 2013.

Casal, G.

et al, The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum of Cultural History, 1981.

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