Philippine weapons in Spanish museums

[kronckew]

fantastic collection. will be looking at the rest of the photos.

especially noticed the moro kris with the atypical point, seem to recall us discussing one like this earlier... (extracted from photo above)

[migueldiaz]

Thanks for all for the comments and insights.

I went back to Museo Naval this morning, and I was able to interview the curator and the staff. Once again, they are most helpful and accommodating.

They said that all of their items that are Filipino (and the ones coming from the neighboring islands) were collected in the 19th century. They added though that it's very much possible that some of them were actually made in the 18th century.

With regard to the sawfish sword at Museo Naval, I remarked to the curator that it's probably not Filipino (though the hilt's shape certainly looks familiar). The curator said that perhaps it's really not Filipino, but the piece was collected at Sulu-Mindanao in the 18th century (thus they grouped it under the Phil. items).

I made the same remark about the Chinese halberds(?), that they are not Filipino. They remarked again that they do realize that, but the items were collected in Sulu-Mindanao, thus they grouped it under Philippines.

I was inquiring whether I can see the items in storage. They told me that they are more of the same, and many are not in good shape.

With regard to Filipino war clubs, I saw one at the storage room of Victor Balaguer museum. I'll post pics of those later.

Tomorrow I go to Toledo to see the Army Museum, which has the most collection of Filipino weapons. We will see

[Sajen]

Thank you for sharing the pictures and informations!

[kai]

Lorenz, thanks so much for all your efforts! Hope you'll make it to central and northern Europe sometime soon...

Those are gorgeous pieces and your pics are a great resource!

I do wonder whether these are mainly battle pick-ups - blades from the Visayas and northern PI seem to be quite underrepresented except for those few axes and shields; also not that many Lumad pieces.

A few more of the single-edged Sulu kris are shown in this thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6140

Regards,
Kai

[CharlesS]

WOW! Mouth watering!

Thanks for the pics!

[carlos]

Great pictures!! I´m very happy to see you are in the best museums in Spain!! I must return someday to the Naval Museum In Madrid, maybe this winter...
best regards
carlos

[migueldiaz]

Charles and Sajen, thanks too.

Kai, yes the displays are always skewed in favor of Moro pieces (and it's well deserved, of course).

Carlos, thanks too. And your countrymen are most helpful, wherever we go

Was at Museo del Ejercito [army museum] yesterday, in Toledo. Unfortunately, the museum does not allow picture taking anymore. Just the same, the museum staff was quite helpful. Also, instead of displaying as many artifacts as possible, the new philosophy is to display just a sampling of each type.

The museum staff also told us that some Philippine pieces can also be found in the following Spanish museums: (a) Museo Cerralbo, Madrid - but I think the museum is now being refurbished; (b) museum of the America, Madrid; (c) Cuatro Vientos museum, which I think is the air force's museum; and (d) some items in various provincial museums like in Avila, San Sebastian, etc.

The rest of the day in Toledo was spent in checking out the paellas, mazapans, and various souvenir shops. More pics of those shops are here

Hope you guys in Spain will have the chance to visit those other museums!