Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 PM UTC
Lot 69:
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 form Malayprototypes and similar swords from Timor and Borneo are found in Dutch institutionalcollections. The kampilan profile is strikingly similar to that Timorese prototype but also the bladeprofile has deep similarities to the klewang and mandau (parang ihlang) swords that were usedby the Dayak of Borneo. Other experts contend that the Celebes islands are the origin for theMoro kampilan.The kampilan also has a storied history and from the first-hand account of Magellan’s shipmate, Antonio Pigafetta, it is thought that Magellan was killed by the kampilan in the region of thesouthern Philippines. Pigafetta (2010) writes:Recognizing the captain [Magellan], so many turned upon him that they knocked his helmet offhis head twice… A native hurled a bamboo spear into the captain’s face, but the latterimmediately killed him with his lance, which he left in the native’s body. Then, trying to lay handon sword, he could draw it out but halfway, because he had been wounded in the arm with abamboo spear. When the natives saw that, they all hurled themselves upon him. One of themwounded him on the left leg with a large cutlass, which resembles a scimitar, only being larger.That caused the captain to fall face downward, when immediately they rushed upon him withiron and bamboo spears and with their cutlasses, until they killed our mirror, our light, ourcomfort, and our true guide.Later accounts during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines indicate that the kampilan was afavorite weapon of the Ilanuns (a Moro ethnic group from Mindanao and the West Coast ofBorneo), though this is difficult to explain (Demetrio 1991) as the length of a kampilanapproaches and exceeds one yard. These sword are quite lengthy and difficult to use onshipboard condition but nonetheless there are accounts of Moro pirates on the classic Sulu seapiranha boats wielding these large swords.The swords are generally very distinct, and primarily distinguished by a carved hilt, sometimes inrare materials such as bone, with a heavy crossguard and in most cases a bifurcated carved pommeldecorated with floral decoration called okir. The pommels are considered to depict a variety ofanimals including a bakunawa (dragon), buaya (crocodile), kalaw (hornbill), or a kakatua(cockatoo). Some hilts also have a plugs of hair, varying called goat or human hair, though thelonger examples in black may well be human.This example in the Schmiedt Collection of fine quality. The hilt carved in a with fine decorationand sheets of brass or darkened silver interspersed with rattan. The hilt also inset with long plugsof black hair, likely goat. The crossguard is in the classic Moro style and inset with halfhemispherical iron projections for hand protection. The blade of classic Moro profile, with a thinricasso and a widening blade, and in this case with the sharp point at the edge called a sundi.According to Cato (1996) different Moro groups attribute different meanings to it, bothdecorative and utilitarian. Maranaos indicate that it is a representation of a hornbill, whileMaguindanao warriors used the projection in battle as a way to distract and harass the opposingwarrior. Most of these are broken off considering the delicate manner in which they are carved, but this example remains on this blade in good condition.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 37" 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. Demetrio, F. (1991). Encyclopedia of Philippine folk beliefs and customs. Volume 2:Folk medicine to weaponry. Cagayan de Oro City, R.P.: Xavier University.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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