Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 122:
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.The swords are generally distinct, and primarily distinguished by a carved hilt, sometimes in rarematerials 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 animals most prominently as a buaya (crocodile).In some cases, the hilt also called a sumba in Maguindanoan is often carved and decorated withfloral decoration called okir.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a post Spanish-American war example which has aninteresting blade with a series of waves at the ricasso approximating the form of a Moro kris.This is not unknown in kampilan blades but is attributed by Cato (1996) to post-SpanishAmerican war period swords which were made for the trade. The blade however is made oflamellar steel and further decorated with okir carving along its entire length, and does feature theclassic sumba spike.The handle with white metal mounts and a less refined form of carving. The crossguard alsoindicating later production through the thicker and less lengthy proportions. Based on the abovefeatures, the kampilan dates to the post Spanish-American war period into the early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 39" Blade Length : 27 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]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. Dresden.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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