Bagobo Shield Puzzler
 

Here's an odd Philippine shield that I just picked up yesterday. The Bagobo Shield is just shy of 39" tall x 13 3/4" across the top x 1/2" thick, and has repousse tin overlay work tacked/nailed over it's face instead of painted desin work. The green details on the back look like trade paint and not pigment. The wood has age to it and there is some darkening to the handle and in the cavity around it. The rear shows that the the two horizontal rattan or wooden strips were there at one point.
This being said, I don't know what to make of it, whether it's for dance or ceremonial use. Was it redressed at some point? Any ideas?

Here are a few more pics.

Best regards,
Joe

Hello Joe,

can't help by your questions but I am very green with envy, never seen something like this before. Where the small nails go throw the tin you can see some patina so I guess that it longer in this state. Do you know which metal is the sheet plate?

Regards,

Detlef

Hi, wel a quite interesting shield. To my opinion it IS authentic and old, but just not an 20th cent.piece. The style of the brasssheet cutting is a style seen more on other items and carving (originally perhaps derived from Chinese ornaments) and also the horizontal piece of wood attached at the straight end is also done on older traditional shields (as we know them).

I dont think it is a "reupholstered" old shield as the wood seems to be a bit different (originals have bit more yellowish sandy colored wood)and I also saw some nails (?). Age?; I think 1930 to 50's, made by Bagobo but not tribally anymore.

After all it is still a very attractive piece! Even if I had a good 20th century Bagobo shield (nice one cost$$$$) this would make a nice addition.

Congrats!

I SUSPECT IT IS A PARADE SHIELD OFTEN ARMOR AND HELMETS ARE WORN IN PARADES AND AT FESTIVALS THIS WOULD FIT IN WELL IN SUCH AN EVENT. THOUGH NOT FROM THE HEADHUNTING DAYS THIS QUALITY IS STILL ETHINOGRAPHIC AND PLAYS A PART IN TODAYS CULTURE. A WELL HEALED TOURIST WOULD NO DOUBT LIKE TO PICK UP SUCH AN EXAMPLE BUT I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE FOR LOCAL USE NOT FOR TOURISTS. THEY COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN MADE FOR PRESENTATION TO IMPORTANT PEOPLE. THE QUALITY WOULD BE THE EQUIVILENT OF TODAYS DATU QUALITY AS IT WOULD TAKE SOME CASH TO HAVE ONE MADE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A REAL BEAUTY :cool:

Detlef, Indiana, and Vandoo,
Detlef, it looks like all of the sheet metal is tin, but the discoloration makes it appear kind of brassy here and there in the pics. Indiana, there are nail holes along either side of the gap between the top plank and the main body of the shield. which was what made me think that it was woven together at one point like another one that I have. Vandoo, I think that the festival or Ceremonial feeling is also the way that I'm thinking on this piece.

Thank you all for the input about the shield.

Best regards,
Joe
Took a few pics when I hung it up today in the entry at home.

A VERY NICE DISPLAY :D ARE THE TWO SMALLEST OVAL SHIELDS AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL SHIELDS? THE ONE TO THE RIGHT SEEMS TO HAVE AN INTERESTING DESIGN CAN'T TELL MUCH ABOUT THE OTHER ONE.

Vandoo,
You are correct. They are Aboriginal Gulmari shields that I picked up a few years ago. The wider one on the left has a dark covering of Spinifex resin across the center of it with a horizontal band design scratched into it. The one on the right does have a cleaner design to it.

Best,
Joe

Interesting shield. The style does not look to me like Bagobo handiwork. I suspect that it was made in Luzon. Definitely not for battle, but perhaps for display as Vandoo suggested. Beautiful nonetheless.

Hello Joe,

agree with Barry, a very beautful display of very nice shields!

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Joe, my pleasure, and certainly to see your shield wall. Nice Philippine ones! To reply the pleasure, here's some of my 'stuff'; North Kalinga, Ifugao (rectangular black) and Bontoc (black n bulky); each tribe their own section.

About your shield again; am also not sure where/how it would have been used; its quite a transitional piece. Perhaps show some pics of those holes on the horizontal bar, wright? In old examples there are sometimes tuft of hair inserted in the sides.

Best, Wouter

Inspiring displays Gentleman!

Yes, excellent material and displays - congratulations.

Wouter - the necklace with the shells, I've seen these around in Belgium & Netherlands but didn't know where they are from. Definitely Phillipines... any more information on them at all ?

We don't see so much Phillipines material in Britain.

Thanks & regards.

Colin

Wouter,
An excellent assemblage of Philippine pieces! I really like the array of Axes, Bululs, and the Hats. Fantastic.

Best,
Joe

Hi Colin, Joe (n the rest :) ),
thanks! And this is not even all and some pics of early last year. Will soon take new pics.
Takes a few years to gather . . . . :D
Colin; the mother of pearlpieces-necklace is (in the Ifugao tribe section) called 'pangalapang' and when you pick up the piece and the shellsections gently hit eachother you know why its called that! Worn by more wealthy women. Quite some fakes around and often the cord is renewed/replaced.
<incl. a pic of 2 women wearing>

Joe; actually the wood helmet with a face is extremely rare, even more rare than ordinary 'oklop' helmets which are more authenticaly worn. See 1 of the 2 helmets (beautifull!) I got on the pic with the Bulul statues. This -att.pic- helmet sold for a fat $6000,- thank you! Will post a new pic of my helmets soon and you will see the difference in patine.

For more reference; see www.rmv.nl for lots of Philippine material; search for 'igorot' or 'luzon'.

Best, Wouter

Identifying Igorot blanket
 

Greetings Joe,

Your collection of Igorot cultural items is very impressive. I was wondering if you would be able to identify one of my pieces. From what I understand and was told, it is a blanket from Kiangan. It is made by the Ikat dye technique. It has several designs on it [H] /\ \/ and a house on stilts. Could you share any impressions or information you may know? I would greatly appreciate it!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

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Hi Apolaki,
I'm afraid that my knowledge about Philippine textiles is very limited. Wouter is probably who you need to speak to, since he has them in the pics of his collection. My collection is primarily wood carved figural tools, weapons, Bululs, and hats.

Best regards,
Joe

IMPRESSIVE COLLECTIONS AND DISPLAYS. ITS GOOD TO SEE OTHERS LIVE IN A MUSEUM TOO :D
I THINK I HAVE SEEN ONE OF THE SHIELDS LIKE THE ONE STARTING THE POST IN THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI. IT WAS MADE FOR THE PHILIPPINE EXHIBIT AT THE WORLDS FAIR/ LOUSIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION IN 1904. THERE WAS A LOT OF INTREST IN THE PHILIPPINES AT THE TIME DUE TO IT BEING A NEW TERRITORY AND THE WAR FOUGHT THERE.
THERE WAS SAID TO BE A LARGE EXHIBIT OF PHILIPPINE WEAPONS CAPTURED DURING THE SPANISH AMERICAN AND FOLLOWING WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAVE SOME ITEMS SAID TO COME FROM THIS EXHIBIT. THE EXHIBIT WAS FROM THE GENERAL HARRY H. BANDHOLTZ COLLECTION OF WEAPONS TAKEN DURING HIS STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND PICTURES OF THIS DISPLAY BUT HAVE FAILED. PERHAPS A MEMBER FROM ST. LOUIS CAN FIND OUT MORE.
THE BEST I CAN DO IS THIS PICTURE OF THE SAMAL MORO ,VILLAGE EXHIBIT 1904

Can't say it better! ;)

Hello all,

Apolaki; yes your blanket is indeed a Ifugao/ibaloi one, though am afraid I havent got good news for you concerning its age n authenticity.Firstly the blanket has a black, chemical dye and authentic ones have indigo blue. But can still be quite nice, decorative and can be used. :o

Joe; thanks also for allowing us to take a view along your collection (part). Havent had the time to make new ones of mi-own. Lots of Phil.items! Can I/we have a look at the domeshaped hat (first pic, glas display, topshelf, next2 brass helmet)? I might have a pic of a woman wearing it.
Your kalinga axe seemed to be puzzled with a bit; never thought of restoring it? (underneath the kalinga axe right one is a Apayao axe; knew that?)

Like your big wooden containers (Kankanai)! n more . . . . :D . Very nice collection! The big wooden 'skullhead' in light color might be a bit out of place there I think as actually it is an 'object' used in Mexico -I believe- where they stick many layers of glued paper on it, to dry> getting hard carton and to cut it off this: hence the cutline accross the middle. The carton figures are painted n used in festival. And d wood 'mall' is used to make yet another.

Til soon :cool: .

Since here are shown some blanket I want to ask Wouter about my one. I think it is a Kalinga piece and want to know more about it. It is 117 x66 cm and worn, so i think it is authentic.

Regards,

Detlef

And because here are shown so beautiful displays I want to show a part of my humble Moro display.

My collection of Igorot items, but i doubt many are authentic except for the Duyu bowl?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

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Vandoo, I will see if I can dig up anything about the fair/shield. Thank you for the possible lead.
Sajen, the Moro blades look great on the wall.
Apolaki your collection looks very nice as well, I especially like the bowl and of course the hat.
Wouter, another example of a carved wooden Philippine skull is in the book Aberrations & Oddities - Curious Tribal Art by Michael Auliso and Gregory Ghent. The carved line down the center actually goes all the way around the head. Never saw any like it at any of the Day of the Dead festivals, but I do like going to them in early November.

Best regards,
Joe

Hi again,
Sajen; your blanket or may be skirt (depends on size) is I also think worn and used by the Ifugao, as it is derived from a quite large textile from the Ifugao, called a 'baya'ong'. These were worn by more wealthy as it can be chilly there. Included a pic of such large cloth. Though have to say yours has black color and the early 20th cent pieces are in indigo blue.
Kalinga (South-)use different ones with red n d.blue stripes and embroidered with yellow n red 'pyramids'.
Thanks for sharing your pieces; very nice!

Thanks for the additional pics Joe. Have scanned and attached the pic with the woman wearing this same type of hat as in your collection. This couple would certainly be a chief n wife and are from Gadang origins (neighbours of East n North-Kalingatribes). Area; south of Tabuk city, Abra prov.Luzon.
This pic is made just after 1900.
B.T.W your brass moro helmet am sure will also make quite some folks here a bit green of envy . . .he he he. Looks almost identical to the one in Kriegers Phil arms book I think?!?

New pics form my collection still to come :D Oaoaoh so sunny n hot at the moment here in Holland! Made a few but not all yet. And than got to resize them all!

Thank you! The size is 117 x 66 cm, the last picture show only the half, I have hang it up over a door. I think it is complete as there are on both sides border.

Regards,

Detlef

Wouter,
Thank you for the pic with the woven helmet/hat. I completely forgot to include pics from the book that I mentioned as far as the wooden skull. I would love to know what the actual use was, since all they do is speculate on it's purpose in the book. I thought that perhaps the groove that goes around it was to tie something around it for suspension....but again just speculation.

Best,
Joe

As said, have made some new collectionpics and here are two overviews as a preview. 'Tickets can be bought at the entrance and children until 10 are for free' :D :D
On the last pic one can see the two 19cent. Ifugao wooden helmets called 'oklop' (fantastic patine!).
<got to resize the rest first>
explan.;
first pic, left corner begins with Gadang-tribe (most colorfull), Kalinga in middle (colorfull) and with Ifugao-tribe right, in corner.
second pic; right corner begins with Itaves/North-Kalinga, than basket collection, Large Ifugao or Kankanai (funeral-) blanket, shelfs with sorcery figures e.m and (hardly to be seen) the Bontoc-tribe in the left corner.

Dragon/Demon Masks made by Ifugao
 

are the dragon/demon masks made by the ifugao authentic cultural items or are they simply tourist items that are adopted from other cultures like Native hawaiian/pacific islanders?

TOURIST TIKI MASKS SOLD IN HAWAII LIKELY CARVED SOMEWHERE ELSE POSSIBLY PHILIPPINE. :shrug: