Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Battara · 17th August 2007, 06:59 PM

Let me be more precise:

Yes I agree that the more I look at it the more Sulu it looks to me. The filigree is Sulu but I am still inclined to say that the other okir bands look more Maguindanao influenced.

On the blade, some of the decor is in the form of stylized vines. I will have to double check on the flowers again, though the type of flower motif on this is more in keeping with Sulu style. What Cato calls "arrows" that line part of the base of the blade are signs of a good quality blade according to him.

Patina: on the ivory, blade, or metal mounts?
On the ivory I would also say mid to late 19thc - which also go with the style of waves in the blade. The metal mounts - hard to tell since they patina so quickly.

Metal mounts look brass to me, though it is possible they could be heavily tarnished white metal. I will bet that they were originally silver bands like the the seemingly original baka-baka clamp.

Oh yeah, the top wranga of the scabbard appears Sulu too, though with later mounts.

17th August 2007, 06:59 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	Let me be more precise: Yes I agree that the more I look at it the more Sulu it looks to me. The filigree is Sulu but I am still inclined to say that the other okir bands look more Maguindanao influenced. On the blade, some of the decor is in the form of stylized vines. I will have to double check on the flowers again, though the type of flower motif on this is more in keeping with Sulu style. What Cato calls "arrows" that line part of the base of the blade are signs of a good quality blade according to him. Patina: on the ivory, blade, or metal mounts? On the ivory I would also say mid to late 19thc - which also go with the style of waves in the blade. The metal mounts - hard to tell since they patina so quickly. Metal mounts look brass to me, though it is possible they could be heavily tarnished white metal. I will bet that they were originally silver bands like the the seemingly original baka-baka clamp. Oh yeah, the top wranga of the scabbard appears Sulu too, though with later mounts. Last edited by Battara; 17th August 2007 at 07:10 PM.