Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 70:
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, though with slightly different grip shapes, a representative example can be seen here.The kampilan 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. Later accounts during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines indicate thatthe kampilan was a favorite weapon of the Ilanuns (a Moro ethnic group from Mindanao and theWest Coast of Borneo), though this is difficult to explain (Demetrio 1991) as the length of akampilan approaches and exceeds one yard.The swords are generally very distinct, and 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 animas 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 of early 20th century quality. The hilt carved in a darktoned and patinaed wood with minimal okir decoration. The hilt also inset with longs plugs ofblack hair, likely goat. The crossguard is in the classic Moro style but wider than usually found, in a disproportionate way indicating a later production example. The blade is in a known style ofMoro profile, with a thin ricasso and a widening blade, and in this case with the rounded invertedbarong form (Cato 1996). The hilt on this example also inset with silver or aluminum pins in adecorative manner and featuring a star shaped inset brass plaque, normally where a coin wouldbe inset.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 43 3/4" Blade Length : 32 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. 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 [email protected]
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