1st Republic Luzon Bolo

[Battara]

I understand Kevin, not many out there.........

[xasterix]

Necro'ing this thread, sharing a simpler sample of what may be another First Republic (or older) bolo. Hoping other members would share theirs as well...these elaborately-hilted blades seem to have run on a "limited edition" basis during its era.

[Rafngard]

I was lucky enough to pick this one up recently.
I'm really happy with it.

Thanks,
Leif

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rafngard

I was lucky enough to pick this one up recently.
I'm really happy with it.

Thanks,
Leif

Great sample Leif! Also indicative that when push comes to shove, even the pretty blades can be used for battle (as I think this one did- probably even several engagements).

[Battara]

Ragnar, this is an expensive blade, and the horn hilt probably had twisted silver wire in some of the crevices. I'm wondering if the bronze on this was added later to replace silver mounts.

[Battara]

Here is my Katipunaro piece.

[Battara]

Here is another horn carved sword I have that Miguel Diaz (from the past) states is also Tagalog. Though some of the scabbard leather is missing, it is pierced.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Battara

Here is my Katipunaro piece.

Very nice! So that's how the silver wire originally wrapped around the underbelly. The brass/bronze parts on mine and Leif's pieces do seem to be replacements. I have another piece with brass/bronze, I've noticed those parts seem to be retrofitted (unlike yours, which is a cohesive whole piece). This is telling, as it would indicate the original owners (or at least their family) were wealthy enough to have their damaged pieces repaired.

I think it's safe to assume that these blades may have existed even before the Katipunan, as Sir Lorenz Lasco cited the documentation of Madrid's 1887 Philippine Exhibition wherein such pieces were featured. In that instance, the elaborate bolos were marked as coming from Binan, Laguna; but different areas (North, Central, probably even South) Luzon probably produced such thematic pieces even before the Katipunan.

A well-placed friend in Spain also told me that their museum experts age-estimate such bolos as early as 1850s. In terms of aesthetics, I would view these as the pinnacle of Luzon craftmanship, as such elaborate carvings were not seen anymore in turn-of-century pieces.