"Artistic License" With a Moro Kampillan

[Ian]

Originally Posted by kai

... The holes appear not only quite different but also to be of different age? There also seem to be okir motifs carved into the cut-outs which would conflict with them being filled with inlays! Could it be that this unusual panel of the pommel was originally filled with deep okir carving and possibly a smallish coin attached in the middle (an unusual location as already noted)? And that later the okir got removed and the cut-out filled with some inlay (without any eye)? ...

I agree with Kai that there have likely been a number of changes to that area of the hilt, which does look unusual compared with the decorations seen on many kampilan. However, Charles has come at the end of that process, and what he has done seems entirely consistent with the original culture and with what may have preceded his recent embellishments. I think there are traditional Lanao residents who would find this perfectly acceptable.

Ian.