Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 145:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sea areacalled a kampilan. The basic form of the sword is considered to have been borrowed from Malayprototypes and similar swords from Timor and Borneo are found in Dutch institutionalcollections, though with slightly different grip shapes, a representative example can be seen here.The kampilan profile is strikingly similar to that Timorese prototype but also the blade profilehas deep similarities to the klewang and mandau (parang ihlang)swords that were used by the Dayak of Borneo. Others contendthat the Celebes islands are the origin for the Moro kampilan. However, there areindigenous Philippine archeological found objects from theSurigao hoard of the early 2nd millennium A.D. that also showsimilarities to the kampilan and may have been the vestigialinfluences, including elements of the crossguard, the central eyeat the base of the forked pommel, and protrusion along one sideof the crossguard.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 fine fighting example in beautifully patternedhardwood displaying a rich chatoyancy. The handle is finely carved with the classic bifurcatedpommel and decorated with okir carving and inlaid plugs of red tinted horse hair. The handleretains wrapped around the iron protrusion the original twisted textile cloth, now worn, whichwhen the sword was wielded would be wrapped around the hand and wrist in a figure-eight tokeep the sword tight during battle. The blade of this sword a fine fighting blade displaying astrong lamellar pattern and with the sumba protrusion in good condition.Based on the above features, the kampilan likely dates 19th century and from the period of actualfighting use.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 36 3/4" Blade Length : 27 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 Combés … 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 info@sofedesignauctions.com
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