Looking vintage and antique samples of Talibong of Panay Island

[shayde78]

Beautiful items, everyone!
Here is my recently acquired example. A few questions:
- The pommels on these seem to share a similar convention. What/who
are they intended to represent?
- On my example below, I guessed from the condition of the leather, and
comparing to WWI and WWII leather I have on bayonet sheaths, that
this might date from the 1940s, or so. Thoughts on this assessment?
- The edge is beveled only on the one side. This seems to be similar to the
other examples on this thread. Is this always the case, or is it indicative
age and/or locale?

As always, thanks for the information, and apologies if these questions have already been addressed earlier in the thread.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Beautiful items, everyone!
Here is my recently acquired example. A few questions:
- The pommels on these seem to share a similar convention. What/who
are they intended to represent?
- On my example below, I guessed from the condition of the leather, and
comparing to WWI and WWII leather I have on bayonet sheaths, that
this might date from the 1940s, or so. Thoughts on this assessment?
- The edge is beveled only on the one side. This seems to be similar to the
other examples on this thread. Is this always the case, or is it indicative
age and/or locale?

As always, thanks for the information, and apologies if these questions have already been addressed earlier in the thread.

Hello mr shayde! I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability and accumulated knowledge so far.

1. The figural hilts represent various deities that can be found in the old, animist religion that was already present before the Philippines was colonized. Certain deities may be indicative of a specific location in Panay Island wherein a particular blade originated. For example, wooden scabbards with the "J" shape plus figural hilts with very long horns are indicative of Aklan. Deities with oblong, horn-less faces with brass accents on the hilt and scabbard have been attributed to Iloilo. And so on and so forth.

2. I'm not good at estimating age, but I think 1940s would be just about right.

3. Visayan blades are usually chisel grind (beveled at one side) even up to now.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Hello mr shayde! I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability and accumulated knowledge so far.

1. The figural hilts represent various deities that can be found in the old, animist religion that was already present before the Philippines was colonized. Certain deities may be indicative of a specific location in Panay Island wherein a particular blade originated. For example, wooden scabbards with the "J" shape plus figural hilts with very long horns are indicative of Aklan. Deities with oblong, horn-less faces with brass accents on the hilt and scabbard have been attributed to Iloilo. And so on and so forth.

2. I'm not good at estimating age, but I think 1940s would be just about right.

3. Visayan blades are usually chisel grind (beveled at one side) even up to now.

Thank you both Xasterix and Detlef! This is very helpful information, and I appreciate you both sharing your knowledge.
Best,
-Rob

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Thank you both Xasterix and Detlef! This is very helpful information, and I appreciate you both sharing your knowledge.
Best,
-Rob

You're welcome, Rob! I passed on my Iloilo talibong to an Ilonggo blade expert; he's currently on the hunt for more identifiers / indicators that would clearly ascertain the differences / unique features for talibongs hailing from Panay / Negros / and even possibly Guimaras islands. The key lies in surviving tribal octagenarians who can identify the vintage and antique talibong samples as hailing from a particular location. I'll update when the info becomes available.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by xasterix

You're welcome, Rob! I passed on my Iloilo talibong to an Ilonggo blade expert; he's currently on the hunt for more identifiers / indicators that would clearly ascertain the differences / unique features for talibongs hailing from Panay / Negros / and even possibly Guimaras islands. The key lies in surviving tribal octagenarians who can identify the vintage and antique talibong samples as hailing from a particular location. I'll update when the info becomes available.

Hi Xas,

I am curious to read once the result of his research!

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

Does this qualify as being from Panay.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kino

Does this qualify as being from Panay.

Halloo there sorry I missed your previous post! Yes I believe it does

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by shayde78

- The pommels on these seem to share a similar convention. What/who are they intended to represent?

In short these pommels represent anitos, in your case it's bakunawa.

Originally Posted by shayde78

- On my example below, I guessed from the condition of the leather, and comparing to WWI and WWII leather I have on bayonet sheaths, that this might date from the 1940s, or so. Thoughts on this assessment?

Like Xasterix I would agree.

Originally Posted by shayde78

- The edge is beveled only on the one side. This seems to be similar to the other examples on this thread. Is this always the case, or is it indicative age and/or locale?

Xasterix has stated it already, typical for all blades from the Visayas.

Regards,
Detlef