Luzon Spears

Maurice · 25th January 2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Here is a pair of interesting spears from Barlig, Eastern Bontoc (post WWII). One displays a male anthopomorphic figure and the other a female, complete with genitalia

[IMG]

Nonoy,

Do you know why this metal look so dark in colour? (also the hammered one with the spikes you posted looks very dark in colour).

Kind Regards,
Maurice

VANDOO · 25th January 2011, 11:33 PM

I WOULD IMAGINE THEY ARE MADE BY FORGEING AND STOCK REMOVAL NOT CAST. LOOK FOR SEAMS OR WELDS TO SEE IF SEPARATE PIECES WERE ADDED OF IF ITS MADE FROM ONE PIECE OF METAL. MY BEST GUESS IS FOR CEREMONIAL USE PERHAPS FOR FERTILITY CEREMOINIES FOR CROPS OR MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.
NICE AND UNUSUAL NOT LIKELY A TOURIST ITEM I BASE THIS ON THE FACT I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF THEM OVER THE YEARS. IF THERE WERE A LOT OF THEM AROUND I WOULD HAVE ONE

Sajen · 26th January 2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Nonoy,

Do you know why this metal look so dark in colour? (also the hammered one with the spikes you posted looks very dark in colour).

Kind Regards,
Maurice

Hello Maurice,

maybe the spear points are etched traditionally, one of my bontoc spears have the same dark colour. The other one I have has had the same colour but was also very rusty so I have sanded it carefully.

Best regards,

Detlef

Maurice · 26th January 2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Maurice,

maybe the spear points are etched traditionally, one of my bontoc spears have the same dark colour. The other one I have has had the same colour but was also very rusty so I have sanded it carefully.

Best regards,

Detlef

Hello Detlef,

On images of igoroth spears out of old collections, or museumpieces, the spearheads all have the usual "average" colour.
I was thinking they might start making them dark about a certain period.
Maybe it is possible to tell more about the age of these spears according to the (latter?) black colour..??

Kind Regards,
Maurice

Sajen · 26th January 2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hello Detlef,

On images of igoroth spears out of old collections, or museumpieces, the spearheads all have the usual "average" colour.
I was thinking they might start making them dark about a certain period.
Maybe it is possible to tell more about the age of these spears according to the (latter?) black colour..??

Kind Regards,
Maurice

Maybe Nonoy know something about this?

My both spears are definitely old, they have a good old patination but of course I don't know how old, I don't have a provenance.

Kind regards,

Detlef

Nonoy Tan · 27th January 2011, 01:07 AM

The black colouration on the pair of spears (with male and female anthropomorphic figures) could be the result of staining. On the other hand, the dark colouration on the spear with multiple barbs could be the result of old rust and application of used motor oil (which is a common practice among the locals) in the past.

Maurice, your idea of making the metal darker as a result of the forging process (or type of raw material) is a real possibility in my opinion. My guess is that this would likely occur post WWII.

Bill, thank you for the feedback.

Battara · 27th January 2011, 04:00 AM

These types of spears throw me because I have never seen them in the old turn of the century accounts. I think that the post-WWII attribution may be right, Nonoy Tan.

Robert · 27th January 2011, 04:54 AM

Hello, This finish is known as forge black. I learned about it originally from a blacksmith quite a few years ago.
After a quick on-line search I found this modern "How To". I hope that this might be of some help in possibly determining why these have their black appearance.

How To Achieve Forge Black Iron Rustproofing and Metal Finish

This metal finish is known among aficionados of forged iron metal work as FORGE BLACK,
and it derives from a technique dating back over a thousand years. This method is an
attractive finish and a very early method for the rust proofing of iron.

The metal is first meticulously cleaned with 00 emery cloth or steel wool,
then washed with denatured alcohol, shellac grade. This is to remove all grease and dirt.
Do this with clean cloth or paper gloves on so that further grease from handling is not deposited.

As soon as this is dry, coat with linseed oil by wiping, brushing or spraying.
Immediately heat over the forge with air flow applied. This adds free carbon to the burning oil
and an enamel like finish will eventually result, once the oil is all burned off.
Do not heat above black. When the piece stops smoking, remove, cool, and wipe with a cloth to
remove free soot. This leaves a good black finish and has been used for ages as an initial treatment
for iron, with defeat of rust as its main ideal.

Robert

25th January 2011, 11:33 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD IMAGINE THEY ARE MADE BY FORGEING AND STOCK REMOVAL NOT CAST. LOOK FOR SEAMS OR WELDS TO SEE IF SEPARATE PIECES WERE ADDED OF IF ITS MADE FROM ONE PIECE OF METAL. MY BEST GUESS IS FOR CEREMONIAL USE PERHAPS FOR FERTILITY CEREMOINIES FOR CROPS OR MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. NICE AND UNUSUAL NOT LIKELY A TOURIST ITEM I BASE THIS ON THE FACT I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF THEM OVER THE YEARS. IF THERE WERE A LOT OF THEM AROUND I WOULD HAVE ONE

27th January 2011, 01:07 AM	#6
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The black colouration on the pair of spears (with male and female anthropomorphic figures) could be the result of staining. On the other hand, the dark colouration on the spear with multiple barbs could be the result of old rust and application of used motor oil (which is a common practice among the locals) in the past. Maurice, your idea of making the metal darker as a result of the forging process (or type of raw material) is a real possibility in my opinion. My guess is that this would likely occur post WWII. Bill, thank you for the feedback.

27th January 2011, 04:00 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	These types of spears throw me because I have never seen them in the old turn of the century accounts. I think that the post-WWII attribution may be right, Nonoy Tan.

27th January 2011, 04:54 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello, This finish is known as forge black. I learned about it originally from a blacksmith quite a few years ago. After a quick on-line search I found this modern "How To". I hope that this might be of some help in possibly determining why these have their black appearance. How To Achieve Forge Black Iron Rustproofing and Metal Finish This metal finish is known among aficionados of forged iron metal work as FORGE BLACK, and it derives from a technique dating back over a thousand years. This method is an attractive finish and a very early method for the rust proofing of iron. The metal is first meticulously cleaned with 00 emery cloth or steel wool, then washed with denatured alcohol, shellac grade. This is to remove all grease and dirt. Do this with clean cloth or paper gloves on so that further grease from handling is not deposited. As soon as this is dry, coat with linseed oil by wiping, brushing or spraying. Immediately heat over the forge with air flow applied. This adds free carbon to the burning oil and an enamel like finish will eventually result, once the oil is all burned off. Do not heat above black. When the piece stops smoking, remove, cool, and wipe with a cloth to remove free soot. This leaves a good black finish and has been used for ages as an initial treatment for iron, with defeat of rust as its main ideal. Robert