Can anyone help me identify this dagger from Philippines

Ian · 11th February 2015, 11:18 PM

Hi dark:

That is an interesting knife.

The face depicted on the hilt appears to be Spanish, and I would say this dates to the period of Spanish occupation but the decoration is not from the Katipunan period--it looks earlier than that. The handle could well be made of ivory rather than bone just looking at the smoothness of the finish and the markings exhibited by the material itself.

I think this is substantially pre-1900 in manufacture. The carving on the hilt and the painted face are well done, but in a naive style suggesting local work.

The copper blade suggests a decorative piece of some quality as copper was not a common metal in Manila and surrounding areas during the period of Spanish occupation. This suggests to me that the hilt is likely ivory to complement a piece made for someone of relative importance.

As to age, it's hard to say just how old this piece might be. I would not be surprised if this was made in the first half of the 19th C, or even from the 18th C.

Good find.

Ian.

11th February 2015, 11:18 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Hi dark: That is an interesting knife. The face depicted on the hilt appears to be Spanish, and I would say this dates to the period of Spanish occupation but the decoration is not from the Katipunan period--it looks earlier than that. The handle could well be made of ivory rather than bone just looking at the smoothness of the finish and the markings exhibited by the material itself. I think this is substantially pre-1900 in manufacture. The carving on the hilt and the painted face are well done, but in a naive style suggesting local work. The copper blade suggests a decorative piece of some quality as copper was not a common metal in Manila and surrounding areas during the period of Spanish occupation. This suggests to me that the hilt is likely ivory to complement a piece made for someone of relative importance. As to age, it's hard to say just how old this piece might be. I would not be surprised if this was made in the first half of the 19th C, or even from the 18th C. Good find. Ian.