Sinanbartolome sword from Tayabas, Quezon

xasterix · Today, 06:33 AM

Hello, sharing this Tagalog piece. The engravings on either side of the blade (not the spine) are specific to Quezon Province (the engravings are still being used for modern swords from that area), and can also be found in nobility blades provenanced as being made from Tayabas, Quezon.

Since this is pre-1900 (I posit this due to the laminated blade construction and other dress features), it was likely made in Tayabas, Quezon, which was historically documented to have premium bolo factories. The sword measures 20.5in blade, 25.5in overall. It's dressed up in an albino carabao horn hilt with iron ferrule and handguard. Such swords were used by cuadrilleros and other Spanish-aligned native military units.

The "sinanbartolome" blade profile varies across Tagalog towns (Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon Province, Laguna, Rizal, etc); generally they're the blade profiles of popular bolos that are presented every Feast Day of Saint Bartholomew. The bolos are blessed in the Saint's name for prosperity especially in harvest; the Feast is usually attended by both common folk and nobility. In modern time, the Feast Day isn't as widely celebrated anymore.

Here's how the restored blade cuts: https://youtube.com/shorts/T5_tP-esj1M

Sajen · Today, 07:59 AM

Very nice sword Raymundo! Are you going to restore the wire binding at the handle?

Regards,
Detlef

Today, 06:33 AM	#1
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 694	Sinanbartolome sword from Tayabas, Quezon Hello, sharing this Tagalog piece. The engravings on either side of the blade (not the spine) are specific to Quezon Province (the engravings are still being used for modern swords from that area), and can also be found in nobility blades provenanced as being made from Tayabas, Quezon. Since this is pre-1900 (I posit this due to the laminated blade construction and other dress features), it was likely made in Tayabas, Quezon, which was historically documented to have premium bolo factories. The sword measures 20.5in blade, 25.5in overall. It's dressed up in an albino carabao horn hilt with iron ferrule and handguard. Such swords were used by cuadrilleros and other Spanish-aligned native military units. The "sinanbartolome" blade profile varies across Tagalog towns (Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon Province, Laguna, Rizal, etc); generally they're the blade profiles of popular bolos that are presented every Feast Day of Saint Bartholomew. The bolos are blessed in the Saint's name for prosperity especially in harvest; the Feast is usually attended by both common folk and nobility. In modern time, the Feast Day isn't as widely celebrated anymore. Here's how the restored blade cuts: https://youtube.com/shorts/T5_tP-esj1M Attached Images Last edited by xasterix; Today at 08:00 AM.

Today, 07:59 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,330	Very nice sword Raymundo! Are you going to restore the wire binding at the handle? Regards, Detlef