SOLD Antique Philippines Islamic Filipino Muslim Moro Chiefly Sword Kampilan
ES912
SOLD A very rare antique 19th- early 20th century Philippines Islamic Filipino Muslim Moro chiefly sword Kampilan from the southern region of the Philippines -Mindanao. The bronze hilt is composed of several elements of bronze soldered together including the grip in the form of a gun stock. The bout shaped crossguard all adorned with engraved and silver inlaid intricate patterns, and set with hair tufts.
The blade is very sharp, sturdy, single edged, and long, widening toward the profiled tip and is finely hand forged, showing on each face Damascus steel laminations pattern throughout its surfaces, and decorated along the back-edge, with incised Okir designs ensuite to the design on the hilt and the scabbard. The scabbard is composed of several elements of bronze soldered together and adorned with intricate Okir pattern, engraved and inlaid in silver and mounted with elaborate chape and locket, with loops for suspension.
Since the sword is very high quality and completely mounted in silver inlaid copper in a similar manner as some of the Moro Armour (Kota) and composed of copper plate and adorned with silver ornaments, it is possible that the sword was a part of the Moro chief’s armour and weaponry made in the same style in copper and adorned with silver adornment as a set. The blade is well-balanced by the hilt, so practically there is no feel of weight of a heavy blade.
CONDITION: Showing age and usage, some silver inlaid missing. Please notice that the pictures in the listing are part of the description of the condition of the object.
MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 101.6 cm (40 inches).
Overall length without the scabbard: 93 cm (38 5/8 inches)
Length of the blade: 63.8 cm (325 1/8 inches).
Width of the blade at the widest point: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 inches)
These types of uniquely styled silver inlaid bronze-brass art objects are characteristic for the Mindanao end includes a range of various objects created by Mindanao artisans including betel-nut containers, boxes, vessels, saddles, and other objects. This particular sword is a unique example of a sword executed in this unusual silver inlaid style, most likely for a very important Moro warrior possibly a chief, as a ceremonial weapon that was made to show the status of its owner.
A Philippine saddle dated to the 18th century also composed of several elements of bronze soldered together and adorned with an almost identical silver inlaid pattern just like on this sword is published in Czerny’s catalog Sep 14, 2018 “HORSE The Equestrian Collectibles Sale” lot 84. EST Price: EUR 1,200 - 2,200. Sold for €5,000 + 30.5% Buyer's Premium + Vat tax. Which can be viewed online, please see the link below.