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Sword (Kalis or Sundang)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineSword (Kalis or Sundang), 1800s. Philippines, Mindanao. overall: 69.9 cm (27 1/2 in.); blade: 54.3 cm (21 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of J. H. Wade, 1918.654
