A vintage shandigan keping

[Sajen]

Just won a vintage keping with a "shandigan" blade. 51 cm long.

Your comments?

[Interested Party]

Just won a vintage keping with a "shandigan" blade. 51 cm long.

Interesting item! I really like the rattan bands. I guess I will get this discussion started. Mostly I have questions. Shandigan is the word for chisel grind? Right handed blade. With the mother of pearl inlays that makes it post WWII? 1970-90s? Was this produced in Visayas or northern Zamboanga?

Thanks for the post.
-IP

[Sajen]

Interesting item! I really like the rattan bands. I guess I will get this discussion started. Mostly I have questions. Shandigan is the word for chisel grind? Right handed blade. With the mother of pearl inlays that makes it post WWII? 1970-90s? Was this produced in Visayas or northern Zamboanga?

Thanks for the post.
-IP

Hi IP,

I am not sure if the braided bands at the handle are from rattan, could be also some sort of metal, I am unsure, we have to wait until I have it in my hands.
And yes, shandigan is for the chisel grind (especially barong). It's not MOP inlay but white colour, I guess chalk colour but I also think that it is a mid. to end 20th century piece. I think that it originates from Mindanao, possibly Zamboanga, but I am curious what others think.
Thank you for your interest in my new acquisition.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Just to clarify the term shandigan. A shandigan blade has a swollen edge and usually a slightly hollow ground area above it. It is not a chisel edge in that the swelling occurs symmetrically on both sides and the is a variant of the V-grind seen on regular barung blades.

The item shown in the original post is a keping with a chisel ground blade. The dress is interesting. Although the shape of the wooden scabbard is consistent with a 20th C Tausug barung (central ridge, upraised toe, asymmetric mouth of the scabbard, etc.) the lime-filled decorations are atypical. the decoration at the throat does have a triangular element, but it is not in the usual place for a Tausug example. The carvings are just not right for traditional Tausug work. Similarly, the down-turned hilt with carved end is not a Tausug feature.

Given the chisel ground blade and the atypical dress, I think this may be an odd Zamboanga piece where Visayan influence is fairly strong. Palawano is another possibility. Xasterix may be able to place it better.

[Sajen]

Just to clarify the term shandigan. A shandigan blade has a swollen edge and usually a slightly hollow ground area above it. It is not a chisel edge in that the swelling occurs symmetrically on both sides and the is a variant of the V-grind seen on regular barung blades.

Yes, you are correct, my mistake, sorry for any confusion!