Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Frontier cuirass c. 1720 believed Pueblo Indian in Spanish Style

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 07:21 PM

The Philippine history and arms are not a field I have studied that much, but in research on the cuir boullli cuirass I began researching over ten years ago has been concluded to be of Spanish colonial provenance from Santa Fe. N.M. from c. late 17th c. It was apparently fashioned by Pueblo artisans under the direction of the governor of Santa Fe. The process of cuir boulli (boiled ox hide) was obsolete in Europe by this time, though leather armor of brigandine style was in use.

Why this is important is that the overall neo classic style, with tassets, and the decorative symbolism which is paralleled nominally in Rick's example, strongly suggests Spanish colonial influences from the Spanish southwest.

This situation is likely to have derived from the commerce of the so called Manila galleons which went between there and Acapulco, with alternate stops in San Blas in Baja. It is likely these type leather armors went aboard these vessels to the Philippines with soldiers etc.

That being the case, it seems entirely plausible that Rick's example, is a Filipino interpretation of those incorporated with other types of armor which remained in use over long periods in colonial regions. While it is of leather scales overlayed in cataphract (lamellar) style, the use of rattan is telling as it suggests likely Philippine production (the focal point of Spanish occupation in these regions).

The presence of this styling and decorative devices reflect the baroque styling typical of ecclesiastic art of early periods in the Spanish southwest. This emphasizes the likelihood of being produced in the Spanish Philippines rather than the Moro Sultanates.

While Moro arms and armor reflect a notable degree of Spanish influence, the styling and character of their armor is more aligned with Muslim styles of mail.

I hope this is somewhat helpful with this conundrum, which is typical of most Spanish colonial subjects regarding arms and armor. As noted, even after many years of research I still have reservations on some factors, and the mysteries of the Philippines(for me) in this history is daunting indeed.

Yesterday, 07:21 PM	#35
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,658	The Philippine history and arms are not a field I have studied that much, but in research on the cuir boullli cuirass I began researching over ten years ago has been concluded to be of Spanish colonial provenance from Santa Fe. N.M. from c. late 17th c. It was apparently fashioned by Pueblo artisans under the direction of the governor of Santa Fe. The process of cuir boulli (boiled ox hide) was obsolete in Europe by this time, though leather armor of brigandine style was in use. Why this is important is that the overall neo classic style, with tassets, and the decorative symbolism which is paralleled nominally in Rick's example, strongly suggests Spanish colonial influences from the Spanish southwest. This situation is likely to have derived from the commerce of the so called Manila galleons which went between there and Acapulco, with alternate stops in San Blas in Baja. It is likely these type leather armors went aboard these vessels to the Philippines with soldiers etc. That being the case, it seems entirely plausible that Rick's example, is a Filipino interpretation of those incorporated with other types of armor which remained in use over long periods in colonial regions. While it is of leather scales overlayed in cataphract (lamellar) style, the use of rattan is telling as it suggests likely Philippine production (the focal point of Spanish occupation in these regions). The presence of this styling and decorative devices reflect the baroque styling typical of ecclesiastic art of early periods in the Spanish southwest. This emphasizes the likelihood of being produced in the Spanish Philippines rather than the Moro Sultanates. While Moro arms and armor reflect a notable degree of Spanish influence, the styling and character of their armor is more aligned with Muslim styles of mail. I hope this is somewhat helpful with this conundrum, which is typical of most Spanish colonial subjects regarding arms and armor. As noted, even after many years of research I still have reservations on some factors, and the mysteries of the Philippines(for me) in this history is daunting indeed.