Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 120:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea areacalled a kampilan but with decorative elements distinct to the T’Boli ethnic group as well. Thebasic form of the sword is considered to have been borrowed form Malay prototypes and similarswords from Timor and Borneo are found in Dutch institutional collections, though with slightlydifferent grip shapes, a representative example can be seen here. The kampilan profile isstrikingly similar to that Timorese prototype but also the blade profile has deep similarities to theklewang and mandau (parang ihlang) swords that were used by the Dayak of Borneo. Otherscontend that the Celebes islands are the origin for the Moro kampilan, and a representativeexample can be found here, which shows off the similarity with the Moro version.The kampilan also has a storied history and from the first-hand account of Magellan’s shipmate, Antonio Pigafetta, it is thought that Magellan was killed by the kampilan in the region of thesouthern Philippines. Later accounts during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines indicate thatthe kampilan was a favorite weapon of the Ilanuns (a Moro ethnic group from Mindanao and theWest Coast of Borneo), though this is difficult to explain (Demetrio 1991) as the length of akampilan approaches and exceeds one yard.The swords are generally very distinct, and primarily distinguished by a carved hilt, sometimes inrare materials such as bone, with a heavy crossguard and in most cases a bifurcated carved pommeldecorated with floral decoration called okir. The design of the pommel varies between ethnicgroups, but it is considered to depict a variety of animas most prominently as a buaya (crocodile).In some cases, the hilt also called a sumba in Maguindanoan is carved and decorated with floraldecoration called okir.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is an early fighting example displaying several featuresof early forms, including the use of inset brass plugs, which is relatively uncommon on Moro orSouthern Philippine kampilans and indicates it may be a Bornean example more heavilyinfluenced by the Dayak parang ihlang. In addition, the crossguard, of classic form, and inset notwith the more common iron hand guard, but with chainmail twisted on itself to form theadditional hand protection. The handle carved in the classic kampilan shape with rattan bindingfor the grip and delicate okir carving along the outer edge of the bifurcated pommel.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 39" Blade Length : 28 1/4" References:1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore2. Barados, D., (1995) Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines, San FranciscoCraft & Folk Museum, 1995.3. Casal, G. et al, (1981) The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum ofCultural History4. Pigafetta, A. (2010). PIGAFETTA’S ACCOUNT OF MAGELLAN’S VOYAGE. InH. Stanley (Ed.), First Voyage Round the World by Magellan: Translated from theAccounts of Pigafetta and Other Contemporary Writers (Cambridge LibraryCollection – Hakluyt First Series, pp. 33-163). Cambridge: Cambridge UniversityPress5. Combes, F. (1667) Historia de Mindanao y Joló, por el p. Francisco CombÃĩs … Obrapublicada en Madrid en 1667, y que ahora con la colaboración del p. Pablo Pastells …saca nuevamente á luz W. E. Retana. Madrid: [Viuda de M. Minuesa de los Rios]6. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of thePhilippine islands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print.Off..7. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art.Macau8. Macaraeg, R. (2009). "Pirates of the Philippines: a critical thinking exercise." Journalof Asian Martial Arts, 18 (3)9. Foy (1899) Schwerter von der Celebes-See. Dresden10. Demetrio, F. (1991). Encyclopedia of Philippine folk beliefs and customs. Volume 2:Folk medicine to weaponry. Cagayan de Oro City, R.P.: Xavier University.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
Share this lot:
