Luzon bolo with carved horn handle

Sajen · 17th September 2014, 12:57 AM

Have recently won this bolo from Luzon with carved horn handle, 20 1/4 " long complete with a blade length of 14 3/4 ". Blade seems to be made from a file!? Maybe not the finest carving at the handle you can find.
How you would call it and what you think about the age?

Robert · 17th September 2014, 02:48 AM

Hello Detlef, If I were pressed to put a name to it I would call it an Itak and would put the age to late 1800's to very early 1900's. A great piece and I believe it will clean up very nicely. I too was watching this but had to make a choice on what item to bid on and the silver fitted knife I posted the other day won out.

Congratulations on this very beautiful addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 17th September 2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, If I were pressed to put a name to it I would call it an Itak and would put the age to late 1800's to very early 1900's. A great piece and I believe it will clean up very nicely. I too was watching this but had to make a choice on what item to bid on and the silver fitted knife I posted the other day won out.

Congratulations on this very beautiful addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,

thank you for confirming my thoughts about this one!

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st September 2014, 12:08 PM

Have received the Tagalog itak and I am very pleased with it, here some pictures how it look after some maintenance, the blade I've cleaned with steel wool, the brass get a little bit polish and the horn hilt I've oiled with linseed oil.

Ian · 21st September 2014, 01:36 PM

That one came up very nicely with some cleaning Detlef. Nice pick up on your part.

I would also say circa 1900 based on the style of carving on the horn and probably of Ilocano manufacture judging from the blade and the "little pinky notch" on the hilt.

Sajen · 21st September 2014, 01:55 PM

Thank you Ian,

so I have three concurrent opinions regarding the age. But Jose write me before that he think it's a from the Tagalog, so a little bit more in the South.
I personally have problems to distinguish between Ilocano and Tagalog characteristics. Maybe a very good issue for a thread!

Regards,
Detlef

17th September 2014, 12:57 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,520	Luzon bolo with carved horn handle Have recently won this bolo from Luzon with carved horn handle, 20 1/4 " long complete with a blade length of 14 3/4 ". Blade seems to be made from a file!? Maybe not the finest carving at the handle you can find. How you would call it and what you think about the age? Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 17th September 2014 at 01:09 AM.

21st September 2014, 12:08 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,520	Have received the Tagalog itak and I am very pleased with it, here some pictures how it look after some maintenance, the blade I've cleaned with steel wool, the brass get a little bit polish and the horn hilt I've oiled with linseed oil. Attached Images

17th September 2014, 02:48 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, If I were pressed to put a name to it I would call it an Itak and would put the age to late 1800's to very early 1900's. A great piece and I believe it will clean up very nicely. I too was watching this but had to make a choice on what item to bid on and the silver fitted knife I posted the other day won out. Congratulations on this very beautiful addition to your collection. Best, Robert

21st September 2014, 01:36 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,039	That one came up very nicely with some cleaning Detlef. Nice pick up on your part. I would also say circa 1900 based on the style of carving on the horn and probably of Ilocano manufacture judging from the blade and the "little pinky notch" on the hilt.

21st September 2014, 01:55 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,520	Thank you Ian, so I have three concurrent opinions regarding the age. But Jose write me before that he think it's a from the Tagalog, so a little bit more in the South. I personally have problems to distinguish between Ilocano and Tagalog characteristics. Maybe a very good issue for a thread! Regards, Detlef