Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 121:
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. 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.The kampilan 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 distinct in shape typified by the pommel and distinguished by a carved hilt, sometimes in rare materials such as bone as this example, with a heavy crossguard and in mostcases a bifurcated carved pommel decorated with floral decoration called okir. The design of thepommel varies between ethnic groups, but it is considered to depict a variety of animals, mostprominently as a buaya (crocodile). In some cases, the hilt, also called a sumba in Maguindanoan, is carved and decorated with floral decoration called okir.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is the finest of the kampilans in the collection, and waspublished in Cato (1996: pl. 31) where it is described in the text further as: Bone kampilans were the property of wealthier Moros. This was due to the cost and aristocratic character of theraw material, as well as the expense of hiring a top-flight artisan who knew how to carve it properly. While the blade is an early fighting example well-worn and displaying a lamellarpattern, the hilt is the distinguishing feature. Kampilans mounted in bone such as this example would have been considered Datu’s swords. The Datu in Moro culture being the equivalent of anobleman or gentry elsewhere, and who would have worn more expensive swords such as this example. The Datu followed in importance the Moro sultans, whose rule was sanctioned by theQuran. The title of Datu and Rajah however, predated the coming of Islam but these titles were assimilated into the new structure when the Moros were Islamicized. In return for tribute and labor, the Datu provided aid in emergencies and advocacy in disputes with other communities and warfare through the Agama and Maratabat laws.The hilt of this example is very finely carved, with beautiful okir carvings along the hilt, and inset with red plugs of hair.Based on the above features, likely a mid-19th century or earlier example.Provenance: Robert Cato. Published in Cato (1996: pl. 31)Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 40" Blade Length : 3 1/2"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]Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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