KKK Dagger
Extremely Rare And Extremely Historically Important KKK Dagger
Ca.1892-1897
Forged Metal with a Metal Scabbard, Hilt and Handle
Dagger: L : 14” x W: 3”(36 cm x 8 cm)
Blade: L : 9" (23 cm)
Scabbard: L : 10" (25 cm)
Guard (Quillon): L : 3" (8 cm)
Hilt (Handle): L : 4 1/2" (11 cm)
Opening bid: P 60,000
Provenance:
Private Collection, Manila
Lot 103 of the Leon Gallery Auction on 9 June 2018. Please see leon-gallery.com/ for more details.
This elegant dagger may be dated from the founding of the KKK (Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, the Highest, Most Respected Brotherhood of the Sons of Country) on 7 July 1892 to Bonifacio’s sudden death in 1897.
This is the first time that a Katipunan dagger is to be brought to auction and an extremely rare event. It could possibly have been used as well as a blade for the Katipunan’s Masonic-style initiation rites. The blood oath or compact is a Filipino tradition to demonstrate allegiance and loyalty, first illustrated in documents of the conquistadores. Drawing from KKK historical expert Jim Richardson’s text “Light of Liberty”, here is an account of the ritual: “The proceedings begin outside the inner door of the Lodge, where the initiate is blindfolded. Brother Terrible places a dagger at his throat, and demands to know what he wants. The initiate then knocks on the door of the Lodge and is permitted to enter. Once inside he is stripped to the waist by Brother Secretary, who records any identifying marks on his body, and then he is questioned at length by Brother President about his family background, means of livelihood, religious persuasion, and masonic or other affiliations. (The dagger is next pointed at his stomach. Then the initiate is also asked to confirm that he recognizes the hardships KKK members must endure.”
The dagger, however, appears to have been well-used. It is double-edge, with a supporting spine. The blade itself is decorated with fine, curved incisions. The handle features three stars with six-leaves, three broken off. It is topped off with an ornamental tip or finial with a triangular plate incised with a sun with a human face. It likewise has six rays, each composed of three lines designed like an apex. (Incidentally, the sun within a triangle is repeated in our modern Filipino flag.) The hilt features finials on either side.
The scabbard is decorated with two ‘V’ shapes, facing each other, to reinforce the sheath. Both sides of its length are decorated with six-leaved florets. The founding of the Katipunan around 3-man cells was based on both a need for secrecy as well as quick recruitment. It represents Andres Bonifacio’s organizational genius that he was able to grow the KKK from a small band of patriots to 300 and from there, up to 30,000 loyal men who formed the nucleus of the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
-Lisa Guerrero Nakpil
KKK Dagger
Extremely Rare And Extremely Historically Important KKK Dagger
Ca.1892-1897
Forged Metal with a Metal Scabbard, Hilt and Handle
Dagger: L : 14” x W: 3”(36 cm x 8 cm)
Blade: L : 9" (23 cm)
Scabbard: L : 10" (25 cm)
Guard (Quillon): L : 3" (8 cm)
Hilt (Handle): L : 4 1/2" (11 cm)
Opening bid: P 60,000
Provenance:
Private Collection, Manila
Lot 103 of the Leon Gallery Auction on 9 June 2018. Please see leon-gallery.com/ for more details.
This elegant dagger may be dated from the founding of the KKK (Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, the Highest, Most Respected Brotherhood of the Sons of Country) on 7 July 1892 to Bonifacio’s sudden death in 1897.
This is the first time that a Katipunan dagger is to be brought to auction and an extremely rare event. It could possibly have been used as well as a blade for the Katipunan’s Masonic-style initiation rites. The blood oath or compact is a Filipino tradition to demonstrate allegiance and loyalty, first illustrated in documents of the conquistadores. Drawing from KKK historical expert Jim Richardson’s text “Light of Liberty”, here is an account of the ritual: “The proceedings begin outside the inner door of the Lodge, where the initiate is blindfolded. Brother Terrible places a dagger at his throat, and demands to know what he wants. The initiate then knocks on the door of the Lodge and is permitted to enter. Once inside he is stripped to the waist by Brother Secretary, who records any identifying marks on his body, and then he is questioned at length by Brother President about his family background, means of livelihood, religious persuasion, and masonic or other affiliations. (The dagger is next pointed at his stomach. Then the initiate is also asked to confirm that he recognizes the hardships KKK members must endure.”
The dagger, however, appears to have been well-used. It is double-edge, with a supporting spine. The blade itself is decorated with fine, curved incisions. The handle features three stars with six-leaves, three broken off. It is topped off with an ornamental tip or finial with a triangular plate incised with a sun with a human face. It likewise has six rays, each composed of three lines designed like an apex. (Incidentally, the sun within a triangle is repeated in our modern Filipino flag.) The hilt features finials on either side.
The scabbard is decorated with two ‘V’ shapes, facing each other, to reinforce the sheath. Both sides of its length are decorated with six-leaved florets. The founding of the Katipunan around 3-man cells was based on both a need for secrecy as well as quick recruitment. It represents Andres Bonifacio’s organizational genius that he was able to grow the KKK from a small band of patriots to 300 and from there, up to 30,000 loyal men who formed the nucleus of the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
-Lisa Guerrero Nakpil