A less than common Kampilan

kino · 20th June 2016, 07:20 PM

Moro items have been slow lately so, for your viewing a kampilan, that I picked up early last year.
The tip of the blade is not like the most seen with the sundi, (the protrusion on top of the blade). The cross guard have a double iron hand guard on each side.
I believe the hilt and cross guard is carved from red lauan.
There are some repair work on the hilt, it looks like it was done during the initial carving not at a later time. Probably to save the work that was almost finished, just a thought.
The blade shows evidence of laminations.

Maurice · 20th June 2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Moro items have been slow lately so, for your viewing a kampilan, that I picked up early last year.
The tip of the blade is not like the most seen with the sundi, (the protrusion on top of the blade). The cross guard have a double iron hand guard on each side.
I believe the hilt and cross guard is carved from red lauan.
There are some repair work on the hilt, it looks like it was done during the initial carving not at a later time. Probably to save the work that was almost finished, just a thought.
The blade shows evidence of laminations.

That is a beautiful kampilan Albert,
just as I like them to be!
I think you are correct with the repair work. It looks like it has the same old glossy patina as the rest of the hilt.

Lovely piece!
Kind regards,
Maurice

VANDOO · 20th June 2016, 11:17 PM

A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE WITH A UNUSUAL BLADE , BEAUTIFUL PATINA TO THE WOOD AND THE LESS COMMON FORM OF CARVING TO THE HANDLE. DEFINITELY A KEEPER IN MY BOOKS.

kino · 21st June 2016, 05:09 AM

Thanks Maurice..BTW, I'm still looking for that elusive Kampilan with the unusual hilt form.

Vandoo, it's a keeper indeed.

Battara · 21st June 2016, 04:39 PM

You are so lucky to have this Ilanum example!

And everything seems so complete!

carlos · 21st June 2016, 04:46 PM

Congratulations!

very beautiful kampilan! The hilt is fantastic! I love this type of sword
Thanks
Carlos

Ian · 21st June 2016, 07:18 PM

Whoa there Jose! Why Ilanum?

Ian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

You are so lucky to have this Ilanum example!

And everything seems so complete!

Ian · 21st June 2016, 07:21 PM

Hi Kino:

Very nice kamp. Looking at the wood, I would have thought banati, especially with the occasional areas of "tiger stripes." What points you towards red lauan?

Ian

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

MI believe the hilt and cross guard is carved from red lauan.
There are some repair work on the hilt, it looks like it was done during the initial carving not at a later time. Probably to save the work that was almost finished, just a thought...

CharlesS · 21st June 2016, 08:42 PM

Absolutely lovely example. Everything I love in a kampie from the blade to the pommel, and the "repairs" just add more charm!

Congrats on such a lovely piece!

Battara · 22nd June 2016, 02:13 AM

Ian, I base my thoughts on what I have seen of Ilanun kampilans, especially the hilts, which are like this one and do not seem to have "eyes", as well as seemingly slightly truncated pommel with a larger lower "jaw".

Some discussion was done here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...2&page=1&pp=30

Also here is a page from Holstein's book: Iranun and Banalingingi (1860).

Battara · 22nd June 2016, 02:14 AM

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

Ian · 22nd June 2016, 07:11 AM

Jose:

Thanks for the info and I like that figure from Holstein's book. The short handled panabas is different from the usual Moro examples, and looks more sword-like rather than a short pole arm.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Ian, I base my thoughts on what I have seen of Ilanun kampilans, especially the hilts, which are like this one and do not seem to have "eyes", as well as seemingly slightly truncated pommel with a larger lower "jaw".

Some discussion was done here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...2&page=1&pp=30

Also here is a page from Holstein's book: Iranun and Banalingingi (1860).

Battara · 22nd June 2016, 02:28 PM

You're welcome Ian.

And I also agree with Ian on it being banati. There is also a possibility that it could be a form of narra wood burl.

In any case it is a good example of early repair, especially the way the front repair is skillfully carved into the rest of the okir. Very impressive workmanship!

kai · 23rd June 2016, 03:10 AM

Hello Jose,

Quote:

Ian, I base my thoughts on what I have seen of Ilanun kampilans, especially the hilts, which are like this one and do not seem to have "eyes", as well as seemingly slightly truncated pommel with a larger lower "jaw".

I am seeing a typical old-style hilt (of higher than average quality). While this type of hilt does show up on Borneo (arguably more often than on Mindanao), I'd posit that it is a generic Moro style that is not limited to Ilanum origin: it seems to have been widespread and just run out of fashion throughout Mindanao while being retained by Moro expat communities on Borneo and possibly elsewhere. Despite their relative rarity, there are IMHO way too many kampilan with this type of hilt in old US collections to allow a strict Ilanum connection (and some even come with sound provenance to Mindanao).

The hilts which may be restricted to Borneo are considerably more "blocky" and ideally come with disks and additional hair tassels (cp. some pics in the linked thread).

Regards,
Kai

kino · 22nd June 2016, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Kino:

Very nice kamp. Looking at the wood, I would have thought banati, especially with the occasional areas of "tiger stripes." What points you towards red lauan?

Ian

You know Ian, I look at this sword at least once a week for the past year it sits on top of a flat file cabinet and I've never noticed the striping until you mentioned it. You might be correct on the wood being banate.

Thanks for the positive comments everyone.

20th June 2016, 07:20 PM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,002	A less than common Kampilan Moro items have been slow lately so, for your viewing a kampilan, that I picked up early last year. The tip of the blade is not like the most seen with the sundi, (the protrusion on top of the blade). The cross guard have a double iron hand guard on each side. I believe the hilt and cross guard is carved from red lauan. There are some repair work on the hilt, it looks like it was done during the initial carving not at a later time. Probably to save the work that was almost finished, just a thought. The blade shows evidence of laminations. Attached Images

22nd June 2016, 02:13 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Ian, I base my thoughts on what I have seen of Ilanun kampilans, especially the hilts, which are like this one and do not seem to have "eyes", as well as seemingly slightly truncated pommel with a larger lower "jaw". Some discussion was done here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...2&page=1&pp=30 Also here is a page from Holstein's book: Iranun and Banalingingi (1860). Attached Images

22nd June 2016, 02:14 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Here is an example of what I am talking about: Attached Images

20th June 2016, 11:17 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE WITH A UNUSUAL BLADE , BEAUTIFUL PATINA TO THE WOOD AND THE LESS COMMON FORM OF CARVING TO THE HANDLE. DEFINITELY A KEEPER IN MY BOOKS.

21st June 2016, 05:09 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,002	Thanks Maurice..BTW, I'm still looking for that elusive Kampilan with the unusual hilt form. Vandoo, it's a keeper indeed.

21st June 2016, 04:39 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	You are so lucky to have this Ilanum example! And everything seems so complete!

21st June 2016, 04:46 PM	#6
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Congratulations! very beautiful kampilan! The hilt is fantastic! I love this type of sword Thanks Carlos

21st June 2016, 08:42 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Absolutely lovely example. Everything I love in a kampie from the blade to the pommel, and the "repairs" just add more charm! Congrats on such a lovely piece!

22nd June 2016, 02:28 PM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	You're welcome Ian. And I also agree with Ian on it being banati. There is also a possibility that it could be a form of narra wood burl. In any case it is a good example of early repair, especially the way the front repair is skillfully carved into the rest of the okir. Very impressive workmanship!