"Artistic License" With a Moro Kampillan

Roland_M · 3rd August 2018, 08:08 AM

Hello,

nice Kampilan and well restored!
This page might be interesting for you, if you not already seen it.

http://www.morolandhistory.com/

and

http://www.morolandhistory.com/05.pg...oro_blades.htm

Roland

CharlesS · 3rd August 2018, 11:57 AM

Thanks for the comments and insights guys!

Roland, I was not familiar with that site and am grateful for the reference. The photos alone are fascinating.

Battara · 4th August 2018, 12:47 AM

Nice work. I agree with the bone since the empty areas are too deep for just silver sheet.

kai · 4th August 2018, 03:16 AM

Hello Charles,

another very special kampilan - thanks!

Usually, the "eye" got placed at the intersection of the carved lines - this pommel apparently never had this intersection and seems closer to the hilt style that usually comes without "eyes"...

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)?

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 4th August 2018, 08:09 AM

Hello Charles,

lovely kampy and a well chosen way of restoration also when I doubt that it will has looked like this originally. Like Kai mentioned before, the cut outs look like there has been an okir carving, very unusual.

I like the grain from the reddish wood of the handle, the whale bone look good in combination with it.

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 4th August 2018, 04:37 PM

Kai on the one hand I think you are right on the original okir, but that was done so long ago and the original owner might have changed his mind or something else happened so that the modification happened long ago too. With that modification came an insert and coin eyes.

I think with that in mind I agree with what Charles had done with this form of restoration.

Ian · 4th August 2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

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.

3rd August 2018, 08:08 AM	#1
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 523	Hello, nice Kampilan and well restored! This page might be interesting for you, if you not already seen it. http://www.morolandhistory.com/ and http://www.morolandhistory.com/05.pg...oro_blades.htm Roland Last edited by Roland_M; 3rd August 2018 at 03:00 PM.

3rd August 2018, 11:57 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Thanks for the comments and insights guys! Roland, I was not familiar with that site and am grateful for the reference. The photos alone are fascinating. Last edited by CharlesS; 4th August 2018 at 11:52 AM.

4th August 2018, 12:47 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,142	Nice work. I agree with the bone since the empty areas are too deep for just silver sheet.

4th August 2018, 03:16 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,228	Hello Charles, another very special kampilan - thanks! Usually, the "eye" got placed at the intersection of the carved lines - this pommel apparently never had this intersection and seems closer to the hilt style that usually comes without "eyes"... 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)? Regards, Kai

4th August 2018, 08:09 AM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,574	Hello Charles, lovely kampy and a well chosen way of restoration also when I doubt that it will has looked like this originally. Like Kai mentioned before, the cut outs look like there has been an okir carving, very unusual. I like the grain from the reddish wood of the handle, the whale bone look good in combination with it. Regards, Detlef

4th August 2018, 04:37 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,142	Kai on the one hand I think you are right on the original okir, but that was done so long ago and the original owner might have changed his mind or something else happened so that the modification happened long ago too. With that modification came an insert and coin eyes. I think with that in mind I agree with what Charles had done with this form of restoration.