Help with talismanic inscriptions?

VVV · 12th December 2008, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the explanation of the stingray whip.
Please develop the relationship between horn and croc's eyes as I didn't get it?
Here is a link to the seller's pictures of one of my bolos with talismanic motifs.

http://www.mytribalworld.com/pagina12.html

My guess is that it's Visayan.
Any other ideas on the origin and/or the meaning of the motifs on the blade?

Michael

Spunjer · 13th December 2008, 05:38 AM

sorry for the misunderstanding. i meant to say that regarding the croc's eyes on the kampilan, i haven't seen any that utilized horns for its eyes. normally it's some sort of metallic discs...

as far as your sword: wow, that's a beauty! it's an enigma as well since it has attributes from different sources. the blade has visayan flavor (beveled edge), and even the handle appears to be a bakunawa. the patterns on the blade is something i've never seen on any visayan blades tho. it appears lumad. michael, if there's anyone that could prolly help you on this, i would say manong leo gaje could. i'm sorry i couldn't be much of help.

VVV · 13th December 2008, 08:06 AM

Thanks,

On talismanic inlays, as well as other spiritual matters, in most cultures it's usually considered stronger if it's foreign.
So maybe this is the case? A visayan sword with Lumad (inspired or copied?) engravings?
Maybe someone else recognise something on this blade?
Do you think the blade motifs might be related to (evil) eyes or is it something else?

Michael

Spunjer · 13th December 2008, 04:51 PM

hi michael,
i was looking at one of my binangons and i remember this unusual feature:

this binangon:
http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...s1/202-rz6.jpg

at first glance, it could be assumed that a hugh rasp file (at least 20" by 2.5")was used as blank to make the blade. granted it was, but why not grind it until there's no sign that it was a rasp file? or was it left there on purpose? remember; bakunawa = dragon

here's a motif from a recent kris that i haven't cleaned yet:

VVV · 14th December 2008, 11:23 AM

Hi Ron,

Bakunawa and scales is an interesting idea that I haven't heard of before.
Here are some new pictures of the bolo I only had a link to before.

Michael

Spunjer · 14th December 2008, 04:19 PM

without a doubt, it is a bakunawa, more pronounced than the Ilonggo version. thanks for the close ups. the lean on the blade is something i find unusual. pretty cool, tho.

VVV · 14th February 2009, 11:19 AM

Here is a motif I haven't seen on kris blades before - the star cluster.
It was a pleasant surprise as the pictures on ebay was of a very low quality so it was impossible to see what the blade really looked like.
Also an unusual hanger attached to the scabbard on this Maranao kris.
The hilt and scabbard however aren't that exciting.
Any ideas or references for this motif?

Michael

14th December 2008, 11:23 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Ron, Bakunawa and scales is an interesting idea that I haven't heard of before. Here are some new pictures of the bolo I only had a link to before. Michael Attached Images

14th February 2009, 11:19 AM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is a motif I haven't seen on kris blades before - the star cluster. It was a pleasant surprise as the pictures on ebay was of a very low quality so it was impossible to see what the blade really looked like. Also an unusual hanger attached to the scabbard on this Maranao kris. The hilt and scabbard however aren't that exciting. Any ideas or references for this motif? Michael Attached Images

12th December 2008, 05:59 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for the explanation of the stingray whip. Please develop the relationship between horn and croc's eyes as I didn't get it? Here is a link to the seller's pictures of one of my bolos with talismanic motifs. http://www.mytribalworld.com/pagina12.html My guess is that it's Visayan. Any other ideas on the origin and/or the meaning of the motifs on the blade? Michael

13th December 2008, 05:38 AM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	sorry for the misunderstanding. i meant to say that regarding the croc's eyes on the kampilan, i haven't seen any that utilized horns for its eyes. normally it's some sort of metallic discs... as far as your sword: wow, that's a beauty! it's an enigma as well since it has attributes from different sources. the blade has visayan flavor (beveled edge), and even the handle appears to be a bakunawa. the patterns on the blade is something i've never seen on any visayan blades tho. it appears lumad. michael, if there's anyone that could prolly help you on this, i would say manong leo gaje could. i'm sorry i couldn't be much of help.

13th December 2008, 08:06 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks, On talismanic inlays, as well as other spiritual matters, in most cultures it's usually considered stronger if it's foreign. So maybe this is the case? A visayan sword with Lumad (inspired or copied?) engravings? Maybe someone else recognise something on this blade? Do you think the blade motifs might be related to (evil) eyes or is it something else? Michael

13th December 2008, 04:51 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	hi michael, i was looking at one of my binangons and i remember this unusual feature: this binangon: http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...s1/202-rz6.jpg at first glance, it could be assumed that a hugh rasp file (at least 20" by 2.5")was used as blank to make the blade. granted it was, but why not grind it until there's no sign that it was a rasp file? or was it left there on purpose? remember; bakunawa = dragon here's a motif from a recent kris that i haven't cleaned yet:

14th December 2008, 04:19 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	without a doubt, it is a bakunawa, more pronounced than the Ilonggo version. thanks for the close ups. the lean on the blade is something i find unusual. pretty cool, tho.