Danganan (Ceremonial Sword Handle), Mindanao Island, Philippines

Danganan, early 20th century
Maranao Culture, Mindanao Island, Philippines
Ivory, copper, silver and wood; 8 in x 5.5 in.
96.27.1
Pick Laudati Fund Purchase This exquisite and rare example of a danganan (ceremonial sword handle) once belonged to a Maranao royal. The danganan dates to the first half of the 19th century, a time between the fall of the old royal sultanate and the Spanish occupation of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. During this time several claimants and out right pretenders made attempts to establish power and declare rule over their own sultanates. The danganan, a symbol of authority and power, functioned like a scepter and was part of the “sultans’” regalia. The ivory knob is shaped as a stylized bird, the mythical sarimanok – the symbol of Maranao royalty, its people and of the high lake region they are associated with. Islamic influence has shaped much of Maranao culture and the wide bands stamped with shaped tools are evidence of such influence. The elaborate shaft is covered in rings of silver, the narrower of which are worked to show texture. Alternating bands of gilt copper rings are overlaid with gold. Because the object is ceremonial in purpose, the blade attached to it, if any, would have likely been made of wood.
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