Beautiful sword from Philippines

VANDOO · 12th October 2010, 05:12 PM

WHILE I AM AT IT I WILL INCLUDE A FEW MORE PICTURES UNFORTUNATELY NOT MINE BUT VERY GOOD EXAMPLES. I HAVE SEEN THIS QUALITY WORK ON ONE TALIBION WITH A HORN HANDLE BUT MOST HAVE BEEN BOLO'S

Battara · 12th October 2010, 11:16 PM

I agree with Vandoo that this is from the island of Luzon.

I would hesitantly say that this may possibly Pampangan, but not as sure. What points me at present to this conclusion is the tip - notice how it is clipped at an angle. Many Pampangan bolos from the time period have this same clipped point.

Also it belonged to someone who was wealthy and/or of status. Can't say for sure if Katipunan or not.

By the way Barry, I love the light horn, silvered, fisted bolo. Also Pampangan and I think Katipunan due to the fist and how it is carved.

migueldiaz · 13th October 2010, 05:15 AM

Wow! they are very nice

Thanks for all the pics.

VANDOO · 23rd October 2010, 02:38 AM

I MENTIONED A GOOD FANCY TALIBON/GARAB WITH A CARVED HORN HANDLE OF THE QUALITY OF THE BOLOS TO CHARLES AT THE SHOW IN LOUIVILLE. SO HERE ARE PICTURES OF IT AS WELL AS ANOTHER NICE HORN HANDLED BOLO. THERE ARE TWO PICTURES OF THE INLAYED DESIGNS IN THE TALIBON BLADE. SORRY FOR PICTURE QUALITY.
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY ADVANCED SHOP DOING THIS WORK AS THE QUALITY IS SO GOOD. THEY WERE EXPERT AT CARVING HORN AND WOOD AS WELL AS WORKING WITH SILVER AND GOLD AND DOING EXCELLENT INLAY WORK AND LEATHER WORK ON SCABBARDS. THERE MUST BE SOME RECORD OF WHO AND WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED AS THEY ARE LIKE THE TOLEDO WORKS OF THE PHILIPPINES.

migueldiaz · 23rd October 2010, 03:32 AM

thanks, vandoo!

about the fist pommel, in this thread i mentioned that:

"At Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, there's a Katipunan banner with this image -- two arms shown just from the elbow to the hands; one is holding a blade, and the other is holding by the hair a severed head of what looks a Caucasian (full beard, etc.); the two hands were depicted as a closed fist, especially the one holding the decapitated head by its hair. Thus perhaps (but am just speculating), the closed fist pommel design is related to this Katipunan imagery."

now one of the pics shows human(?) hair being grasped by the fist. if the hair was part of the original sword, then it all adds up.

the deeper significance is that in the philippines' precolonial days, human hair is sometimes used to decorate a sword (kampilan), shield, etc.

and we all know that the 19th century revolutionary katipunan army was also a movement to go back and remember the precolonial ways of filipinos.

it would surely be great to see more examples of the katipunan fist pommel with human hair in its grasp.

David · 23rd October 2010, 03:44 AM

Looks a bit thick and coarse for human hair. Probably horse or goat.

Robert · 23rd October 2010, 05:22 AM

I haven't posted in a while but after seeing all of these beautiful pieces it is hard not too. While all of these are absolutely stunning the one with the light colored carabao horn hilt is indescribable. I have found that trying to type while wiping the drool off of the keyboard is quite difficult. Thank you all for sharing these magnificent pieces.

Robert

12th October 2010, 05:12 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WHILE I AM AT IT I WILL INCLUDE A FEW MORE PICTURES UNFORTUNATELY NOT MINE BUT VERY GOOD EXAMPLES. I HAVE SEEN THIS QUALITY WORK ON ONE TALIBION WITH A HORN HANDLE BUT MOST HAVE BEEN BOLO'S Attached Images

23rd October 2010, 02:38 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I MENTIONED A GOOD FANCY TALIBON/GARAB WITH A CARVED HORN HANDLE OF THE QUALITY OF THE BOLOS TO CHARLES AT THE SHOW IN LOUIVILLE. SO HERE ARE PICTURES OF IT AS WELL AS ANOTHER NICE HORN HANDLED BOLO. THERE ARE TWO PICTURES OF THE INLAYED DESIGNS IN THE TALIBON BLADE. SORRY FOR PICTURE QUALITY. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY ADVANCED SHOP DOING THIS WORK AS THE QUALITY IS SO GOOD. THEY WERE EXPERT AT CARVING HORN AND WOOD AS WELL AS WORKING WITH SILVER AND GOLD AND DOING EXCELLENT INLAY WORK AND LEATHER WORK ON SCABBARDS. THERE MUST BE SOME RECORD OF WHO AND WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED AS THEY ARE LIKE THE TOLEDO WORKS OF THE PHILIPPINES. Attached Images

23rd October 2010, 03:32 AM	#5
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	thanks, vandoo! about the fist pommel, in this thread i mentioned that: "At Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, there's a Katipunan banner with this image -- two arms shown just from the elbow to the hands; one is holding a blade, and the other is holding by the hair a severed head of what looks a Caucasian (full beard, etc.); the two hands were depicted as a closed fist, especially the one holding the decapitated head by its hair. Thus perhaps (but am just speculating), the closed fist pommel design is related to this Katipunan imagery." now one of the pics shows human(?) hair being grasped by the fist. if the hair was part of the original sword, then it all adds up. the deeper significance is that in the philippines' precolonial days, human hair is sometimes used to decorate a sword (kampilan), shield, etc. and we all know that the 19th century revolutionary katipunan army was also a movement to go back and remember the precolonial ways of filipinos. it would surely be great to see more examples of the katipunan fist pommel with human hair in its grasp.

12th October 2010, 11:16 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I agree with Vandoo that this is from the island of Luzon. I would hesitantly say that this may possibly Pampangan, but not as sure. What points me at present to this conclusion is the tip - notice how it is clipped at an angle. Many Pampangan bolos from the time period have this same clipped point. Also it belonged to someone who was wealthy and/or of status. Can't say for sure if Katipunan or not. By the way Barry, I love the light horn, silvered, fisted bolo. Also Pampangan and I think Katipunan due to the fist and how it is carved.

13th October 2010, 05:15 AM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Wow! they are very nice Thanks for all the pics.

23rd October 2010, 03:44 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Looks a bit thick and coarse for human hair. Probably horse or goat.

23rd October 2010, 05:22 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I haven't posted in a while but after seeing all of these beautiful pieces it is hard not too. While all of these are absolutely stunning the one with the light colored carabao horn hilt is indescribable. I have found that trying to type while wiping the drool off of the keyboard is quite difficult. Thank you all for sharing these magnificent pieces. Robert