Fully Loaded Binangon

[Spunjer]

so the wife pried me off the couch to go to this antique mall we visit when we're bored. well, she got her some old ceramic jugs.
i found this pretty complete, turn of the century binangon. if this was a honda accord, it would be the top of the line E-X model. scabbard has the shell cover and an unusual locking system in which the disc guard would actually click to this gizmo at the throat. it's made out of carabao horn, similar to the disc guard. the leather throat is gaudily decorated with miniature mirrors, and a red velvet fabric (which have both faded with time). also unusual is the built-on belt that has a coconut button.
the disc guard is beautifully carved.

[Spunjer]

additional photos

[Atlantia]

Well! That one certainly ticks all the right boxes!
A beautiful example, congratulations indeed!!!
Love the way the guard slots into the mouth of the scabbard.

[Robert]

WOW Now that is nice. It certainly does have all the bells and whistles. Makes me want to get out and cruise through whats left of the antique shops around here. Congratulations on this great find.

Regards,
Robert

[David]

Sweet!

[Battara]

What a great piece! Congrats Ron!

I have seen these scabbard mouths before on lowlander pieces. This one is complete and well carved. Very nice indeed!

[Gavin Nugent]

Interesting motifs on the sheath, Chinese influenced lucky coins.
The little flowers to the top, similar are also seen within the old French Indo China borders....

Gav

[Ferguson]

Simply stunning!
Steve

[Sajen]

Hello Ron,

congrats for this purchase! A very nice and complete binangon. The sheath is very similar to my tenegre sheath what give you a estimated age of yours. The flower is a catmoon flower. My scabbard has as well this pieces of mirrow and and a very similar design, look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11550.

When you ever get bored by this beauty....

Regards,

Detlef

[Gavin Nugent]

Please share more information on this flower you mention Sajen, does it go by any other name?

Thanks

Gavin

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Please share more information on this flower you mention Sajen, does it go by any other name?

Thanks

Gavin

Hello Gavin,

I have this information from Nacho given to me/us in the the thread I posted in up in post # 12. I don't have more informations, sorry.

Regards,

Detlef

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Detlef,

Interesting also to see that the inner part of the lucky coin motif would sit within the geometric design of the "Catmoon" flower arrangement.

Gavin

[Battara]

I forget, is it the blade form that makes this a binangon?

On another note, this is a common motif on this island - seen it on upland Panay pieces as well (pieces with long noses).

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

I forget, is it the blade form that makes this a binangon?

On another note, this is a common motif on this island - seen it on upland Panay pieces as well (pieces with long noses).

Hi Jose,

I am as well every time confused by this both terms. But when I understand correct is the sword from Ron a tenegre and my one a binangon, see the thread I have given. It isn't the blade form but the handle form what makes a binangon or tenegre. See post #20 & #24 in the thread I have given.

For the second question: I simple don't know. Maybe Nacho or someone other is able to give us an answer.

Regards,

Detlef

[Spunjer]

freebooter, the flower motif has always been integral to the ilonggo arts. besides weapons, these particular motif can be seen on textiles and architecture. if you notice on the majority of ilonggo weapons, the deity hilt has a flower cap. Nacho has postulated that these represented the Katmon flower (dillenia philippinensis). i have heard that the four petal supposed to represent the main cardinal points.
as far as what it's called we (as ilonggo) would call this a binangon, whether the blade profile is that of what sajen's have, or the one that i have. bangkaya has eloquently explained that in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16115.
IMHO, this is what i would consider more of a tenegre:

[Sajen]

So at best we call both sanduko!

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by Sajen

So at best we call both sanduko!

if you were FROM Capiz or Aklan, then yes, it would be referred to as sanduko.

[VVV]

What a beauty, congratulations!!!

Michael

[carlos]

This is a really beatiful sword ¡ congratulations with this adquisition
best regards

carlos

[CharlesS]

Very nice...and great to know there are still treasures out there in the least likely places!

[Bangkaya]

Nice score on the binangon, Spunjer! I'll call it a tinegre since it has the figural anito head. Either way it's Ilonggo so I wouldn't call it a sanduko.

As for the floral motif found on swords on the island of Panay, the katmon flower figures highly as a cultural and mythical motif especially among the Suluds of the highlands. It's a very common motif embroidered among their blouses. As Spunjer noted, it is representative of the 4 cardinal points. However, the pre-Spanish belief was that the flower was an offering to Bakunawa to prevent his wrath upon the people which usually was floods, typhoons, etc. Moreover, Bakunawa was blamed for eclipses....as explained in this Amaya episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD656KPnrv8

One example of the katmon flower being used as an offering is that it is placed in the first hole dug for the mainframe posts of a house. Depending on the time of the year the structure is made determines the direction in which Bakunawa is resting and holes are then dug in a certain direction and order accordingly. This offering and the correct procedure in constructing a house or building prevents Bakunawa's wrath and helps protect it from typhoons, floods, earthquakes, etc.

Regards,
Bangkaya

[Spunjer]

You know, growing up in Iloilo and spending the summers in my grandma's farm in Ajuy, I have never heard anyone used the term tinegre, even from the old timers. It's always binangon. It was when i started collecting when i heard the term tinegre for the first time.
Now my old man, he's no collector, intimated to me that the term tinegre are those that were used by the bandits, whatever they may be. It connotes bad juju. That, and plaminkos.