Artwork Page for Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard

Details / Information for Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard

Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard

before 1916

Philippines

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Medium
Blade: metal with brass inlay; grip: cord; pommel: silver
Measurements
Overall: 71.3 x 11.1 x 3.2 cm (28 1/16 x 4 3/8 x 1 1/4 in.); Scabbard: 56.1 x 5.1 x 1.8 cm (22 1/16 x 2 x 11/16 in.)
Weight: 0.72 kg
Credit Line
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.751
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Silver pommels are uncommon in Philippine swords, as silver had to be sourced from abroad (typically China).

Description

This sword has a straight kalis blade with squared shoulders, a long central fuller, and an engraved chevron-and-scroll pattern above the guard. The wing guards at the base of the blade are held in place by two asang-asang (“fish gill”) clamps. The hilt terminates with a silver cockatoo (kakatua)-shaped pommel. Silver pommels of this type are associated with elite datu owners.
Rectangular, dark-brown scabbard and kris, a sword with an asymmetrical, triangular base extending into a straight, silver metal blade with a rounded tip. The blade's triangular base cuts off into jagged edges on one side. A dark-brown, wrapped cylindrical hilt fastens to the blade, topped by a tarnished, dark-brown claw-like arch. Two pieces of dark-bronze metal flank the hilt and fasten around the blade's base. A "W"-shaped pattern extends down the blade.

Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard

before 1916

Philippines

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