Cleveland Museum of Art

Sword (Kalis or Sundang)

Date

before 1916

Medium

Metal blade with ivory pommel and cord-wound grip

Culture

Philippines, Mindanao

Department

Oceania

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This sword’s blade is straight near the tip and transitions into gentle undulations toward the lower half. Fine inlaid geometric and floral motifs run along the central ridge. The ivory pommel takes the form of a cockatoo ( kakatua ), a high-status motif in southern Philippine weaponry. The curving blade form, intricate inlay, and ivory pommel make this a prestige weapon. The part wavy, part straight blade form is known as a kalis taluseko .

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