Artwork Page for Sword (Kampilan)

Details / Information for Sword (Kampilan)

Sword (Kampilan)

before 1916

Philippines

Medium
Blade: forged steel; handle: wood with braided cane cord
Measurements
Overall: 95.3 x 14.2 cm (37 1/2 x 5 9/16 in.); Blade: 71.6 x 4.6 cm (28 3/16 x 1 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.752
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The kampilan was both a functional weapon and a symbol of warrior status.

Description

This sword features a long, straight, single-edged steel blade that widens near the tip. The hilt is carved from dark hardwood and takes the shape of a stylized zoomorphic figure, possibly a bird, buwaya (crocodile), or naga. The materials, carving style, and blade form correspond to kampilan-type swords made among the Maranao and Maguindanao people of northern and central Mindanao.
Black-speckled silver-metal kampilan, a single-edged sword flaring out slightly at the tip with a spike jutting out from the middle of the diagonal lower edge. The dark-brown hilt is "T"-shaped with a leaf-like shape arcing out to the side from the handle. The center of the hilt is carved like wrapping braided rope in a lighter brown. The remaining portions of the handle are carved with foliage-like designs.

Sword (Kampilan)

before 1916

Philippines

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