A less than common Kampilan

[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

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]

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]

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]

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

[Ian]

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.

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]

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!

[Sajen]

Very nice example Albert!

Best regards,
Detlef

[Gustav]

Actually only the two inserts look like banati wood, to me.

[kino]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Very nice example Albert!

Best regards,
Detlef

Thank you Detlef.



Filtered sunlight thru a window with the hilt tilted to capture the nuances.

[kai]

Hello Jose,

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]

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.