Insights on unusual kampilan?

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.

Oliver Pinchot · 18th September 2014, 04:31 AM

This kampilan was sold at auction in 2013, it was deaccessioned from the John Woodman Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA. It has a strong provenance from an American army officer who served in the Philippines between 1898-1899. It also displays the Type I Maguindanao hilt characteristics you listed above, Ian. Unfortunately its owner was posted in Jolo and several other locations in addition to Maguindanao and was not specific about where he acquired it.
http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot.a...enum=1&lang=En

Ian · 18th September 2014, 03:58 PM

Thanks Oliver. Yes, it is hard to pin down just where some of these items came from that were brought back from the Spanish-American and Philippine-American conflicts. The US troops got around quite a bit and high ranking officers received gifts from many parties--not all swords were picked up on the battlefield.

I've attached pictures (below) of the long axis of this kampilan. Actually, I think this one is closer to a Type II hilt, and it's interesting to look back at my old post and see a very similar hilt (with a similar scrolled guard) that was classified then as a Type II hilt -- see Figure 5, example on right.

Here is the description of the present kampilan from the auction:

"A MORO KAMPILAN SWORD
The wooden hilt of typical form, with bifurcate pommel and broad, scrolled crossguard, finely carved overall, with bilobate iron guard and rattan grip-wrap intact. The long, unusually broad single-edged blade expanding toward the profiled and pierced tip.Latter 19th century.Donated to the John Woodman Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 9, 1957 by Nathaniel Sage, Jr. and William H. Sage III, grandsons of Brigadier General William Hamden Sage (1859-1922.) General Sage was professor of Military Sciences and Tactics, Central University of Kentucky, Richmond, 1892-93. He acted as Aide-de-Camp to General Ovenshine in the Philippines in 1898, where he further served as Adjutant General, 1st and 2nd Brigades, 1st Division, XIII Army Corps, Adjutant General, 3rd District, Mindanao, Jolo and Malsbang, Philippines, 1906. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for service during the Philippine Insurrection at Zapote River, June 13, 1899. His citation reads: With 9 men volunteered to hold an advanced position and held it against a terrific fire of the enemy estimated at 1,000 strong. Taking a rifle from a wounded man, and cartridges from the belts of others, Captain Sage himself killed 5 of the enemy. Overall length 96.5 cm. Condition I"

There is reference here to the General having served in Jolo and Malsbang. I think that Malsbang is probably a typo, and the correct spelling is Malabang. A search for Malsbang turns up an article in an old newspaper from California (San Francisco Call, 17 April 1902) that reports the killing of an American soldier in the Lake Lanao region and the dispatch of a punitive expedition to arrest the murderers. There destination was near Malsbang. There is no mention of William Sage in the article. However, if Malsbang is actually Malabang, then the General would indeed have served in the Lake Lanao region and have come in contact with the Maranao.

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.

Ian · 20th September 2014, 03:50 AM

Thanks Rick. Here is your kampilan with the central axis shown. Because of the atypical pommel, this would be a Type IV hilt. The projection of the long axis of the blade on to the hilt suggests that this one would be closer to a Type II than a Type I orientation.

Ian.

Gavin Nugent · 20th September 2014, 01:03 PM

Here is an interesting one you can draw lines through Ian, a short curved type with provenance, captured 1898.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=santa

Tempted to link others but I think it is against the rules to self link to my own items.....

17th September 2014, 01:22 PM	#2
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	#5
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

18th September 2014, 04:31 AM	#6
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	This kampilan was sold at auction in 2013, it was deaccessioned from the John Woodman Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA. It has a strong provenance from an American army officer who served in the Philippines between 1898-1899. It also displays the Type I Maguindanao hilt characteristics you listed above, Ian. Unfortunately its owner was posted in Jolo and several other locations in addition to Maguindanao and was not specific about where he acquired it. http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot.a...enum=1&lang=En Attached Images Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 18th September 2014 at 04:43 AM.

18th September 2014, 03:58 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Thanks Oliver. Yes, it is hard to pin down just where some of these items came from that were brought back from the Spanish-American and Philippine-American conflicts. The US troops got around quite a bit and high ranking officers received gifts from many parties--not all swords were picked up on the battlefield. I've attached pictures (below) of the long axis of this kampilan. Actually, I think this one is closer to a Type II hilt, and it's interesting to look back at my old post and see a very similar hilt (with a similar scrolled guard) that was classified then as a Type II hilt -- see Figure 5, example on right. Here is the description of the present kampilan from the auction: "A MORO KAMPILAN SWORD The wooden hilt of typical form, with bifurcate pommel and broad, scrolled crossguard, finely carved overall, with bilobate iron guard and rattan grip-wrap intact. The long, unusually broad single-edged blade expanding toward the profiled and pierced tip.Latter 19th century.Donated to the John Woodman Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 9, 1957 by Nathaniel Sage, Jr. and William H. Sage III, grandsons of Brigadier General William Hamden Sage (1859-1922.) General Sage was professor of Military Sciences and Tactics, Central University of Kentucky, Richmond, 1892-93. He acted as Aide-de-Camp to General Ovenshine in the Philippines in 1898, where he further served as Adjutant General, 1st and 2nd Brigades, 1st Division, XIII Army Corps, Adjutant General, 3rd District, Mindanao, Jolo and Malsbang, Philippines, 1906. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for service during the Philippine Insurrection at Zapote River, June 13, 1899. His citation reads: With 9 men volunteered to hold an advanced position and held it against a terrific fire of the enemy estimated at 1,000 strong. Taking a rifle from a wounded man, and cartridges from the belts of others, Captain Sage himself killed 5 of the enemy. Overall length 96.5 cm. Condition I" There is reference here to the General having served in Jolo and Malsbang. I think that Malsbang is probably a typo, and the correct spelling is Malabang. A search for Malsbang turns up an article in an old newspaper from California (San Francisco Call, 17 April 1902) that reports the killing of an American soldier in the Lake Lanao region and the dispatch of a punitive expedition to arrest the murderers. There destination was near Malsbang. There is no mention of William Sage in the article. However, if Malsbang is actually Malabang, then the General would indeed have served in the Lake Lanao region and have come in contact with the Maranao. Attached Images

20th September 2014, 03:50 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Thanks Rick. Here is your kampilan with the central axis shown. Because of the atypical pommel, this would be a Type IV hilt. The projection of the long axis of the blade on to the hilt suggests that this one would be closer to a Type II than a Type I orientation. Ian. Attached Images

17th September 2014, 03:43 PM	#3
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	#4
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?

20th September 2014, 01:03 PM	#10
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Here is an interesting one you can draw lines through Ian, a short curved type with provenance, captured 1898. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=santa Tempted to link others but I think it is against the rules to self link to my own items.....