Bontoc Sword

VANDOO · 29th April 2011, 02:31 PM

Definitely philippine work some traditional and some not. The crouching man on the handle is traditional style but normally not one used for knife or sword handles it is usually a village guardian or such. The dragon or whatever at the scabbard tip is not traditional philippine reminds me of the tiki masks carved in the philippines for export.
The blade form is from a spear ,this form not used traditionally for swords or knife. This is made for sale to those who travel but is well made attractive and I have not seen one like it before. It is good to have a date and location of origin. I think this spear blade form is traditionaly from the Kayan tribe rather than Bontok. But could have been put together by Bontok craftsmen or in their area. either way a nice and unusual item especially if the price was right.

29th April 2011, 02:31 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	Definitely philippine work some traditional and some not. The crouching man on the handle is traditional style but normally not one used for knife or sword handles it is usually a village guardian or such. The dragon or whatever at the scabbard tip is not traditional philippine reminds me of the tiki masks carved in the philippines for export. The blade form is from a spear ,this form not used traditionally for swords or knife. This is made for sale to those who travel but is well made attractive and I have not seen one like it before. It is good to have a date and location of origin. I think this spear blade form is traditionaly from the Kayan tribe rather than Bontok. But could have been put together by Bontok craftsmen or in their area. either way a nice and unusual item especially if the price was right.