Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 124:
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 Tâ€â„¢Boli ethnic group as well. Thebasic form of the sword is considered to have been borrowed from 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 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 distinct, and distinguished by a carved hilt, with a heavy crossguard and in mostcases a bifurcated pommel decorated with floral decoration called okir. The design of the pommelvaries between ethnic groups, but it is considered to depict a variety of animals most prominently asa buaya (crocodile). In some cases, the hilt also called a sumba in Maguindanoan, is carved anddecorated with floral decoration called okir.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is an earlier fighting example in beautifully patternedhardwood with a shiny chatoyancy. The handle is finely carved with the classic bifurcatedpommel and decorated with delicate okir carving. The handle retains the original textile clothwhich when the sword was wielded would be wrapped around the hand and wrist in a figure-eightto keep the sword tight during battle. The blade of this sword a fine fighting bladedisplaying a strong lamellar pattern and with the sumba protrusion worn from use.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 37 3/4" Blade Length : 27 3/4" 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. 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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