Patani Malay Kris Tajong with Long-Snouted Zoomorphic Silver Hilt & Silver Fittings

This fine and rare kris from the Patani region of the Malay world (southern Thailand and northern-eastern Malaysia today) is unusual for its silver fittings and its splendid patina – the wood has a rich, lustrous colour from significant age.

Known as a kris tajong (and sometimes as a kris pekaka) with its zoomorphic, long-nosed hilt (hulu), it is synonymous with the Malays of the north-eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula – the Kelantan-Terengganu-Pattani region. According to Noor & Khoo (2003, p. 120) originally, the shape of the hilt was based on a representation of the Hindu god Shiva, as it was adapted for the god’s characterisation in the Wayang Kulit shadow puppet plays that were staged by Malay communities. Through the centuries and with the conversion of the Malays to Islam, the form became more stylised. Facial features were replaced by carved floral flourishes and so on.

This excellent example has a plain wooden scabbard fitted with silver rings, and engraved silver bands; a long, thin, straight iron pamor blade of a type often associated with executioner’s blades; and a masterfully worked zoomorphic hilt – with chased silver over a wooden substrate.

The hilt with its long snout, is chased with daun ketumbit motifs to the side of the head, and scale motifs.

The eyes on the hilt are set with rock crystal cabochons.

The cross-guard is made from what is probably native ketengga wood, as has the wooden casing on the scabbard.

The anthropologist Walter Skeat who travelled to Patani in 1899-1900 tells of how such long-snouted krises were worn by Malay men on their back, tucked into a waist band. Whenever the wearer wanted to draw it in a hurry, he would make a quick backward kick to the base of the scabbard which brought the hilt level with his shoulder. He would then reach over his shoulder and grab the hilt to draw the kris, and was ready to face an attacker.

The example here is in fine condition and has, as mentioned, a splendid patina and obvious significant age.