Southern Philippines Brassware

Silvered Brass Kabul Jar

This extraordinary-looking lidded jar is known as a kabul jar and is of silvered brass or copper alloy covered with geometric motifs and designs in applied wire and filigree work. It is from the Islamic Maranao people of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

It has a conical, flared foot; a flattened spherical body; a lid with a tall spire; and two round handles on either side.

Such jars were used to hold the ceremonial gifts for the bride’s family given by the groom’s relatives during wedding festivities (Fraser-Lu, 1989, p. 108).

The jar is in fine condition with only minor losses to the applied wire decoration. It sits in a flat stable fashion and is free or dents or repairs.

Fraser-Lu, S., Silverware of South-East Asia, Oxford University Press, 1989.

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