Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 147:
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 that also show similarities to the kampilan andmay have been the vestigial influences, including elements of thecrossguard, the central eye at the base of the forked pommel, andprotrusion along one side of 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 especially finely decorated and designed hilts weremost associated with Moro Datus, such as this sword. Moro Datus were the royals or gentrybeneath the level of the Sultans and who provided troops to the Sultanate in times of war, but couldthemselves have considerable power. The finest Philippine weapons are associated with Datu’s orthe Sultans themselves.This example in the Schmiedt Collection has a rare carved hilt form. The hilt carved of anunknown material and distinctly striated with a barber pole carving or potentially reflecting thenatural form of the material. The sword is otherwise of classic kampilan form and with a finelymade blade, with talismanic holes nearest the edge while the blade displays a fine lamellarpattern, hardened edge, and sumba protrusion. The crossguard is in the classic Moro form butnow missing the iron hand guard hemispherical iron inlays.Based on the above features, this kampilan likely dates to 19th century though this handle may havebeen added following the manufacture of the blade, and it is not uncommon to have had blades re-hilted. A very special and rare example overall.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 32 1/2" Blade Length : 27"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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