Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 123:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea areacalled a panabas. The panabas has an especially fearsome reputation and is known as abeheading sword. Because of its effectiveness at chopping due to its distinct construction andblade weight, the panabas was favored for use in executions. As such, the panabas also came tosymbolize a datu’s power – a demonstration of his ability to wield violence on behalf of the state.The panabas was also used by a rearguard of Moro warriors who would move through abattlefield and kill any enemy warriors still alive after the battle.The swords are distinct, and are distinguished by a heavy upswept curved blade, which often has arelatively sharp curve and widening tip. The blade is often of very heavy thickness and the handlesgenerally long, for two handed usage and to counterbalance the heavy blades. The older examplesare usually devoid of decoration while later examples, of the 20th century, sometimes have incisedokir carving along the side of the blade. Those later blades are often relatively thin, while the olderswords have thick cross-section blades, such as this example.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a good example of this sword with a thick and heavyblade and the hilt in the general form, roughly octagonal or hexagonal in cross-section, and withseveral sections of metal bands dividing the hilt.This example likely dates to the 19th century, or the period of the Philippine Insurrection.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 33" Blade Length : 19 3/4" Blade Width : 4 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. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of thePhilippine islands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print.Off.5. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art.Macau6. Macaraeg, R. (2009). "Pirates of the Philippines: a critical thinking exercise." Journalof Asian Martial Arts, 18 (3). 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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