Philippine Axes , Bontok

[drac2k]

I am just getting to some of the things that I bought in Baltimore,and I rediscovered a small collection of Philippine axes which I bought. I have purchased other axes in the past, but they have all been Kalinga axes and in retrospect, these were the first Bontok axes that I've encountered, which I would have thought would have been more prevalent .
They are wonderfully balanced and sharp; most are heavy and it appears that the edges are case hardened if that is possible.A couple have museum catalog
numbers on the edges and I would guess that they are at least WW2 vintage.

[Ian]

These small axes are certainly different from the Kalinga "head axes," and I think most of the ones you show are probably tools rather than weapons. I have attached pictures of three other examples that were also used primarily as tools.

Ian.

[drac2k]

http://class.csueastbay.edu/anthropologymuseum/virtmus/Philippines/Crafts/Axes.htm
Many Philippine weapons have a dual purpose such as the panabas, etc., and I have no doubt that these could as well.Four of the five have quite heavy blades.The above web site has items similar to mine.

[drac2k]

Here is an example of a warrior holding a similar ax.

[Battara]

In the first picture at the bottom, that axe I have seen attributed to the Ifugao.

[drac2k]

Thanks for the information; I wasn't sure on that one.

[VANDOO]

ITS UNUSUAL TO FIND A GROUP OF AXES TOGETHER AND NO DOUBT IRRESISTIBLE IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. (INSTANT COLLECTION) :D HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF AXES THAT APPEAR TO BE BONTOK. ONE PICTURE IS OF ONE OF THE SMALL AXES PERHAPS MADE FOR A MINITURE PHILIPPINES WEAPON SET.

[drac2k]

All things are possible in Baltimore.
I think I know what the small ax is for ; I have a wonderful , approx. 3 ' statue carved from wood of an Igorot warrior, straddled over a headless body, holding the trophy(severed head in one hand), and an ax(about the size of yours), in the other.The statue is in the office ; despite all of the weird and scary items that I have brought home, this is the only one my wife has requested that I don't.Fair enough and maybe in time...............