Insights on unusual kampilan?

Ian · 17th September 2014, 05:00 AM

Oliver:

Thanks for posting this one. I had been following the auction and was outbid for it! Are you the lucky owner now?

I had exchanged emails with Battara several days ago about his thoughts on whether this was a silver-clad hilt--neither of us were sure what the metal was.

Previously, I've seen a couple of silver mounted kampilan, and they are certainly unusual. The use of banati wood on this one, also uncommon, would suggest that it is a high quality piece, although I think the silver work (and perhaps the whole hilt) are early 20th C while the blade could be earlier.

As far as a classification for kampilan, I did write a piece about 10 years ago on the old forum. Will try to find it again.

Ian.

Here is that old discussion: Towards a classification of kampilan

Oliver Pinchot · 17th September 2014, 05:16 AM

Thanks, Ian!
No, I'm afraid I'm not the owner, lucky or otherwise. But I am trying to learn more about the subtleties of Moro work. There was also a whalebone-hilted kampilan out there last week which was very interesting.
Other than the condition of the blade, what are the factors which (potentially) make it earlier than the hilt?

BTW, have you published that classification paper?

Sajen · 17th September 2014, 08:21 AM

Beautiful kampy, thank you for posting it Oliver!

On one picture from the auction is seen a 20 centavos coin for the "eye" at the handle which is certainly from silver. And this coin show the same varnishing/oxidation like the other metal plates so it could be that all metal attachments are from silver.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 17th September 2014, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Thanks, Ian!
No, I'm afraid I'm not the owner, lucky or otherwise. But I am trying to learn more about the subtleties of Moro work. There was also a whalebone-hilted kampilan out there last week which was very interesting.
Other than the condition of the blade, what are the factors which (potentially) make it earlier than the hilt?

BTW, have you published that classification paper?

Oliver:

No, those thoughts were only posted on the old forum for discussion. I was hoping we would have more provenanced pieces before disseminating the ideas more widely. It is so hard to find examples of kampilan that have been reliably pinned down to a particular region or major tribal group.

As to the age of this blade, I was just going on its general appearance. Jose had thought that the style of decoration was perhaps mid-20th C, but the general condition of the blade seemed similar to some of my 19th C pieces. Nothing more specific than that.

Ian.

Ian · 17th September 2014, 01:22 PM

Just to put this example in line with my earlier analysis, here are pictures showing the geometry of this kampilan around the central axis of the blade. In terms of the proposed classification, this would be a Type 1 kampilan in all respects, and possibly from the Lake Lanao region of the Maranao.

The top picture shows the typical uptilted hilt, with an "eye" disc and radiating lines (no "saddle" visible but may be obscured by the silver work in that area). The lower picture again shows the mid-line of the blade passing through a notch immediately below the "spike" at the tip.

Battara · 17th September 2014, 03:43 PM

I would also say Maranao based on the okir work. Yes I say possibly later silver work (silver based on what I can see of the patina) with an early 20th century blade.

Better close ups and metal testing would pin things down better.

Oliver Pinchot · 17th September 2014, 05:12 PM

Thank you, Ian, Detlef and Jose.
I'm wondering what would distinguish the dating of applied and engraved (presumed) silver plates. Was work like this not done in the 19th? Is the absence of an applied iron guard characteristic of a particular period, a particular people, or a matter of personal taste? Jose, I think you would be the guy to ask whether the semicircular border motifs are done with a graver or a punch?
Time permitting, can you expand somewhat on why you've dated the blade as you have?

Ian · 17th September 2014, 07:26 PM

Here are a couple of provenanced ones from Herbert Krieger's, The Collection of Primitive Weapons and Armor of the Philippine Islands in the United States National Museum, published by the Smithsonian Institute, 1926. The top picture is Plate 7 from Krieger's work. Below that are kampilan numbered 1, 4 in that plate, showing the long axis of the blade passing through the hilt.

The hilt of #1 is very primitive and unadorned, which makes classification difficult. This kampilan was captured by Captain J.J. ("Black Jack") Pershing during a punitive expedition in 1903; it is labeled "Moro. Lake Lanao. Mindanao." This one lacks the eye and radiating lines on the hilt, but it does have a saddle. Despite missing the eye and radiating lines, this one may have more in common with an uptilted Type 1 hilt, than a Type II or Type III hilt.

The kampilan labeled #4 is also from the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao. I have rotated the image and added the long axis of the blade to show that it is a typical Type 1 hilt.

So far, I have yet to see a well provenanced Maguindanao kampilan. Anyone out there like to share some pictures of a Maguindanao kampilan?

Ian.

Battara · 20th September 2014, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Jose, I think you would be the guy to ask whether the semicircular border motifs are done with a graver or a punch?
Time permitting, can you expand somewhat on why you've dated the blade as you have?

Sure thing: First the work done on the silver was done with chasing, stamping, and punch tools.

Second, the manner of the design of the okir on the silver I have seen on later rather than earlier pieces. Early work does not have as much empty space as later examples. However the style of okir appears to me to be Maranao (though Maguindanao work is very close).

Thirdly, the thickness of the silver plates I have seen on later pieces and not early ones. Early ones seem (so far) to be made of thinner sheets of silver.

Fourth, regarding the blade, it seems to have characteristics of older examples like the method of the tapering profile, the "spike" at the distal end of the blade (worn down). I have not seen (so far) later examples with these details.

Fifth: In addition to these points, the pommel section, and even to some extent the cross guard, appear to be in an older more traditional style. Also notice that the narra wood that this piece was made looks burled to me, again not often used by later pieces.

These are my thoughts so far.

However if anyone can show a different side, please educate me - I love to learn.

17th September 2014, 01:22 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Just to put this example in line with my earlier analysis, here are pictures showing the geometry of this kampilan around the central axis of the blade. In terms of the proposed classification, this would be a Type 1 kampilan in all respects, and possibly from the Lake Lanao region of the Maranao. The top picture shows the typical uptilted hilt, with an "eye" disc and radiating lines (no "saddle" visible but may be obscured by the silver work in that area). The lower picture again shows the mid-line of the blade passing through a notch immediately below the "spike" at the tip. Attached Images

17th September 2014, 07:26 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Here are a couple of provenanced ones from Herbert Krieger's, The Collection of Primitive Weapons and Armor of the Philippine Islands in the United States National Museum, published by the Smithsonian Institute, 1926. The top picture is Plate 7 from Krieger's work. Below that are kampilan numbered 1, 4 in that plate, showing the long axis of the blade passing through the hilt. The hilt of #1 is very primitive and unadorned, which makes classification difficult. This kampilan was captured by Captain J.J. ("Black Jack") Pershing during a punitive expedition in 1903; it is labeled "Moro. Lake Lanao. Mindanao." This one lacks the eye and radiating lines on the hilt, but it does have a saddle. Despite missing the eye and radiating lines, this one may have more in common with an uptilted Type 1 hilt, than a Type II or Type III hilt. The kampilan labeled #4 is also from the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao. I have rotated the image and added the long axis of the blade to show that it is a typical Type 1 hilt. So far, I have yet to see a well provenanced Maguindanao kampilan. Anyone out there like to share some pictures of a Maguindanao kampilan? Ian. Attached Images

17th September 2014, 05:00 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Oliver: Thanks for posting this one. I had been following the auction and was outbid for it! Are you the lucky owner now? I had exchanged emails with Battara several days ago about his thoughts on whether this was a silver-clad hilt--neither of us were sure what the metal was. Previously, I've seen a couple of silver mounted kampilan, and they are certainly unusual. The use of banati wood on this one, also uncommon, would suggest that it is a high quality piece, although I think the silver work (and perhaps the whole hilt) are early 20th C while the blade could be earlier. As far as a classification for kampilan, I did write a piece about 10 years ago on the old forum. Will try to find it again. Ian. Here is that old discussion: Towards a classification of kampilan Last edited by Ian; 17th September 2014 at 05:09 AM. Reason: Added link to the old forum

17th September 2014, 05:16 AM	#2
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	Thanks, Ian! No, I'm afraid I'm not the owner, lucky or otherwise. But I am trying to learn more about the subtleties of Moro work. There was also a whalebone-hilted kampilan out there last week which was very interesting. Other than the condition of the blade, what are the factors which (potentially) make it earlier than the hilt? BTW, have you published that classification paper?

17th September 2014, 08:21 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Beautiful kampy, thank you for posting it Oliver! On one picture from the auction is seen a 20 centavos coin for the "eye" at the handle which is certainly from silver. And this coin show the same varnishing/oxidation like the other metal plates so it could be that all metal attachments are from silver. Regards, Detlef

17th September 2014, 03:43 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I would also say Maranao based on the okir work. Yes I say possibly later silver work (silver based on what I can see of the patina) with an early 20th century blade. Better close ups and metal testing would pin things down better.

17th September 2014, 05:12 PM	#7
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	Thank you, Ian, Detlef and Jose. I'm wondering what would distinguish the dating of applied and engraved (presumed) silver plates. Was work like this not done in the 19th? Is the absence of an applied iron guard characteristic of a particular period, a particular people, or a matter of personal taste? Jose, I think you would be the guy to ask whether the semicircular border motifs are done with a graver or a punch? Time permitting, can you expand somewhat on why you've dated the blade as you have?