The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of August 11, 2026

A rectangular dark brown sword sheath is displayed alongside a kris, a sword with an asymmetrical, triangular base extending into a straight, silver metal blade with a rounded tip. The blade's triangular base has jagged edges on the left side. A dark-brown, wrapped cylindrical handle fastens to the blade, topped by a tarnished, dark-brown claw-like arch. Two pieces of dark-bronze metal flank the handle and fasten around the blade's base. A "W"-shaped pattern extends down the blade.

Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard

before 1916

Philippines, Mindanao

Blade: metal with brass inlay; grip: cord; pommel: silver
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.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.751
Location: Not on view

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.
  • ?–1916
    Jeptha Homer Wade II [1857–1926], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Sword (Kalis or Sundang) and scabbard|url=false|author=|year=before 1916|access-date=11 August 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.751