Kampilan to share

[carlos]

In my last trip to Toledo I saw this kampilan, not to sell, it was for personal collection of seller.
What do you think about this piece? Age ??
Thanks
Carlos

[Sajen]

Hello Carlos,

very recent IMVHO. :shrug:

Regards,
Detlef

[CharlesS]

I am most inclined to agree with Sajen.

[Robert]

Unfortunately because of the quality of the workmanship I am inclined to believe that this is an example of where someone has taken an older item and has purposely added embellishments to it in an attempt to add to its overall desirability and value to a collector. This is only my personal opinion and I could be completely wrong in my assessment. :shrug:

Best,
Robert

[Battara]

I'm with you Sajen and Charles. The wood carvings, the metal, MOP, and bone(?) are recent, meant to enhance or rip off, unfortunately. :(

Only the blade might be old.

[carlos]

Thank very much. The sword is in a shop in Toledo. 3 or 4 years ago the sword was to sell, but now is only for display.
Thanks again.
Carlos

[Sajen]

Hello Carlos,

you handled it, what you think yourself?

Regards,
Detlef

[carlos]

Hello Carlos,

you handled it, what you think yourself?

Regards,
Detlef

When It was in my hands my first idea was the handle was too new, without patina and marks.

[Ian]

As noted by Jose, the blade appears to be the oldest part of this piece. The hilt and cross-guard, while newer in appearance, do seem consistent for the most part with the general decorative style of the Lake Lanao region. The grip is highly atypical and possibly a one-only piece, but the bifurcated pommel is a traditional style and the carving is good. However, the bone and metal decorations are not consistent with older styles--although pieces of bone and metal were occasionally used to decorate old kampilan hilts, those materials were not used in the manner shown here. The horse hair is obviously very recent. From its appearance I think the hilt was made after 1990, and probably sometime this century.