Moro Mindanao Sultan’s Hilt

Massive Ceremonial Ivory & Silver-Gilt Pommel & Grip

Moro People, Mindanao, Philippines

19th century

height: 46cm (without stand), width: 25cm

This rare and massive ceremonial kris pommel and grip would have been used by the Islamic Moro people of Mindanao in important meetings and ceremonies to represent the person of the sultan. It was not ever fitted with a blade or even a scabbard but brought into meetings and sat up in place of the sultan.

The large pommel is of a single piece of creamy ivory, carved as a stylised bird, probably based on the sari manok bird. The curved grip comprises eight gilded silver segments, over a wooden base, decorated with fine applied filigree and hundreds of flattened spheres (the effect is known locally as telur ikan or fish egg pattern). The hand guard is of gilded leafy silver filigree wire flourishes.

A similar example mounted on a scabbard but without a blade is illustrated in Hales (2013, p. 121). Hales says that such items were used around the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao.

An example is in the National Museum of Malaysia. Another was offered at Christie’s London, as lot 403, on April 7, 2011, but that example was smaller, less ornate, the ivory pommel had a significant chip, and the grip was sheafed in gilded copper rather than gilded silver.

The example here is without losses and is in excellent condition. It is a rare item of museum quality and of monumental proportions. The item comes with a custom-made stand allowing the hilt to be immediately displayed.

References

Hales, R., Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, Robert Hale CI Ltd, 2013.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 2734

SOLD