Cleveland Museum of Art

Sword (Kalis or Sundang)

Date

1800s

Medium

Arms and Armor

Culture

Philippines, Mindanao

Department

Oceania

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The blade of this kalis displays undulations across its entire length, as well as flared shoulders and a pierced wing-type guard carved with okir -style serrations. A single asang-asang (fish gill) clamp secures the guard. The kamagong pommel takes the form of a cockatoo ( kakatua ). The shape and material indicate a functional but less prestigious object compared with ivory and silver examples made for the Tausug or Maranao people. Blades with an odd number of undulations were preferred; this example has nine.

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