Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 14th May 2012, 01:51 PM   #1
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default Bagobo Shield Puzzler

Here's an odd Philippine shield that I just picked up yesterday. The Bagobo Shield is just shy of 39" tall x 13 3/4" across the top x 1/2" thick, and has repousse tin overlay work tacked/nailed over it's face instead of painted desin work. The green details on the back look like trade paint and not pigment. The wood has age to it and there is some darkening to the handle and in the cavity around it. The rear shows that the the two horizontal rattan or wooden strips were there at one point.
This being said, I don't know what to make of it, whether it's for dance or ceremonial use. Was it redressed at some point? Any ideas?
Attached Images
      
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2012, 01:54 PM   #2
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Here are a few more pics.

Best regards,
Joe
Attached Images
       
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2012, 06:24 PM   #3
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

Hello Joe,

can't help by your questions but I am very green with envy, never seen something like this before. Where the small nails go throw the tin you can see some patina so I guess that it longer in this state. Do you know which metal is the sheet plate?

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2012, 06:28 PM   #4
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

Hi, wel a quite interesting shield. To my opinion it IS authentic and old, but just not an 20th cent.piece. The style of the brasssheet cutting is a style seen more on other items and carving (originally perhaps derived from Chinese ornaments) and also the horizontal piece of wood attached at the straight end is also done on older traditional shields (as we know them).

I dont think it is a "reupholstered" old shield as the wood seems to be a bit different (originals have bit more yellowish sandy colored wood)and I also saw some nails (?). Age?; I think 1930 to 50's, made by Bagobo but not tribally anymore.

After all it is still a very attractive piece! Even if I had a good 20th century Bagobo shield (nice one cost$$$$) this would make a nice addition.

Congrats!
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2012, 07:16 PM   #5
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Thumbs up

I SUSPECT IT IS A PARADE SHIELD OFTEN ARMOR AND HELMETS ARE WORN IN PARADES AND AT FESTIVALS THIS WOULD FIT IN WELL IN SUCH AN EVENT. THOUGH NOT FROM THE HEADHUNTING DAYS THIS QUALITY IS STILL ETHINOGRAPHIC AND PLAYS A PART IN TODAYS CULTURE. A WELL HEALED TOURIST WOULD NO DOUBT LIKE TO PICK UP SUCH AN EXAMPLE BUT I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE FOR LOCAL USE NOT FOR TOURISTS. THEY COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN MADE FOR PRESENTATION TO IMPORTANT PEOPLE. THE QUALITY WOULD BE THE EQUIVILENT OF TODAYS DATU QUALITY AS IT WOULD TAKE SOME CASH TO HAVE ONE MADE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A REAL BEAUTY
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2012, 02:30 AM   #6
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Detlef, Indiana, and Vandoo,
Detlef, it looks like all of the sheet metal is tin, but the discoloration makes it appear kind of brassy here and there in the pics. Indiana, there are nail holes along either side of the gap between the top plank and the main body of the shield. which was what made me think that it was woven together at one point like another one that I have. Vandoo, I think that the festival or Ceremonial feeling is also the way that I'm thinking on this piece.

Thank you all for the input about the shield.

Best regards,
Joe
Took a few pics when I hung it up today in the entry at home.
Attached Images
   
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2012, 04:43 AM   #7
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Thumbs up

A VERY NICE DISPLAY ARE THE TWO SMALLEST OVAL SHIELDS AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL SHIELDS? THE ONE TO THE RIGHT SEEMS TO HAVE AN INTERESTING DESIGN CAN'T TELL MUCH ABOUT THE OTHER ONE.
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2012, 01:17 PM   #8
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Vandoo,
You are correct. They are Aboriginal Gulmari shields that I picked up a few years ago. The wider one on the left has a dark covering of Spinifex resin across the center of it with a horizontal band design scratched into it. The one on the right does have a cleaner design to it.

Best,
Joe
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2012, 03:03 PM   #9
Nonoy Tan
Member
 
Nonoy Tan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 293
Default

Interesting shield. The style does not look to me like Bagobo handiwork. I suspect that it was made in Luzon. Definitely not for battle, but perhaps for display as Vandoo suggested. Beautiful nonetheless.
Nonoy Tan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2012, 04:37 PM   #10
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

Hello Joe,

agree with Barry, a very beautful display of very nice shields!

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th May 2012, 04:40 PM   #11
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

Hi Joe, my pleasure, and certainly to see your shield wall. Nice Philippine ones! To reply the pleasure, here's some of my 'stuff'; North Kalinga, Ifugao (rectangular black) and Bontoc (black n bulky); each tribe their own section.

About your shield again; am also not sure where/how it would have been used; its quite a transitional piece. Perhaps show some pics of those holes on the horizontal bar, wright? In old examples there are sometimes tuft of hair inserted in the sides.

Best, Wouter
Attached Images
   
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th May 2012, 05:10 PM   #12
Nathaniel
Member
 
Nathaniel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 865
Thumbs up

Inspiring displays Gentleman!
Nathaniel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th May 2012, 05:38 PM   #13
colin henshaw
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
Default

Yes, excellent material and displays - congratulations.

Wouter - the necklace with the shells, I've seen these around in Belgium & Netherlands but didn't know where they are from. Definitely Phillipines... any more information on them at all ?

We don't see so much Phillipines material in Britain.

Thanks & regards.

Colin
colin henshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2012, 02:10 AM   #14
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Wouter,
An excellent assemblage of Philippine pieces! I really like the array of Axes, Bululs, and the Hats. Fantastic.

Best,
Joe
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2012, 09:51 AM   #15
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

Hi Colin, Joe (n the rest ),
thanks! And this is not even all and some pics of early last year. Will soon take new pics.
Takes a few years to gather . . . .
Colin; the mother of pearlpieces-necklace is (in the Ifugao tribe section) called 'pangalapang' and when you pick up the piece and the shellsections gently hit eachother you know why its called that! Worn by more wealthy women. Quite some fakes around and often the cord is renewed/replaced.
<incl. a pic of 2 women wearing>

Joe; actually the wood helmet with a face is extremely rare, even more rare than ordinary 'oklop' helmets which are more authenticaly worn. See 1 of the 2 helmets (beautifull!) I got on the pic with the Bulul statues. This -att.pic- helmet sold for a fat $6000,- thank you! Will post a new pic of my helmets soon and you will see the difference in patine.

For more reference; see www.rmv.nl for lots of Philippine material; search for 'igorot' or 'luzon'.

Best, Wouter
Attached Images
   
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 07:07 AM   #16
apolaki
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 160
Default Identifying Igorot blanket

Greetings Joe,

Your collection of Igorot cultural items is very impressive. I was wondering if you would be able to identify one of my pieces. From what I understand and was told, it is a blanket from Kiangan. It is made by the Ikat dye technique. It has several designs on it [H] /\ \/ and a house on stilts. Could you share any impressions or information you may know? I would greatly appreciate it!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater
apolaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 02:33 PM   #17
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Hi Apolaki,
I'm afraid that my knowledge about Philippine textiles is very limited. Wouter is probably who you need to speak to, since he has them in the pics of his collection. My collection is primarily wood carved figural tools, weapons, Bululs, and hats.

Best regards,
Joe
Attached Images
  
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 03:49 PM   #18
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Smile

IMPRESSIVE COLLECTIONS AND DISPLAYS. ITS GOOD TO SEE OTHERS LIVE IN A MUSEUM TOO
I THINK I HAVE SEEN ONE OF THE SHIELDS LIKE THE ONE STARTING THE POST IN THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI. IT WAS MADE FOR THE PHILIPPINE EXHIBIT AT THE WORLDS FAIR/ LOUSIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION IN 1904. THERE WAS A LOT OF INTREST IN THE PHILIPPINES AT THE TIME DUE TO IT BEING A NEW TERRITORY AND THE WAR FOUGHT THERE.
THERE WAS SAID TO BE A LARGE EXHIBIT OF PHILIPPINE WEAPONS CAPTURED DURING THE SPANISH AMERICAN AND FOLLOWING WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAVE SOME ITEMS SAID TO COME FROM THIS EXHIBIT. THE EXHIBIT WAS FROM THE GENERAL HARRY H. BANDHOLTZ COLLECTION OF WEAPONS TAKEN DURING HIS STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND PICTURES OF THIS DISPLAY BUT HAVE FAILED. PERHAPS A MEMBER FROM ST. LOUIS CAN FIND OUT MORE.
THE BEST I CAN DO IS THIS PICTURE OF THE SAMAL MORO ,VILLAGE EXHIBIT 1904
Attached Images
 

Last edited by VANDOO; 23rd May 2012 at 05:45 PM.
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 05:46 PM   #19
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VANDOO
IMPRESSIVE COLLECTIONS AND DISPLAYS. ITS GOOD TO SEE OTHERS LIVE IN A MUSEUM TOO

Can't say it better!
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 07:00 PM   #20
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

Hello all,

Apolaki; yes your blanket is indeed a Ifugao/ibaloi one, though am afraid I havent got good news for you concerning its age n authenticity.Firstly the blanket has a black, chemical dye and authentic ones have indigo blue. But can still be quite nice, decorative and can be used.

Joe; thanks also for allowing us to take a view along your collection (part). Havent had the time to make new ones of mi-own. Lots of Phil.items! Can I/we have a look at the domeshaped hat (first pic, glas display, topshelf, next2 brass helmet)? I might have a pic of a woman wearing it.
Your kalinga axe seemed to be puzzled with a bit; never thought of restoring it? (underneath the kalinga axe right one is a Apayao axe; knew that?)

Like your big wooden containers (Kankanai)! n more . . . . . Very nice collection! The big wooden 'skullhead' in light color might be a bit out of place there I think as actually it is an 'object' used in Mexico -I believe- where they stick many layers of glued paper on it, to dry> getting hard carton and to cut it off this: hence the cutline accross the middle. The carton figures are painted n used in festival. And d wood 'mall' is used to make yet another.

Til soon .
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 08:40 PM   #21
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

Since here are shown some blanket I want to ask Wouter about my one. I think it is a Kalinga piece and want to know more about it. It is 117 x66 cm and worn, so i think it is authentic.

Regards,

Detlef
Attached Images
   
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 08:57 PM   #22
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

And because here are shown so beautiful displays I want to show a part of my humble Moro display.
Attached Images
  
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 10:03 PM   #23
apolaki
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 160
Default

My collection of Igorot items, but i doubt many are authentic except for the Duyu bowl?



apolaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th May 2012, 06:25 AM   #24
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Vandoo, I will see if I can dig up anything about the fair/shield. Thank you for the possible lead.
Sajen, the Moro blades look great on the wall.
Apolaki your collection looks very nice as well, I especially like the bowl and of course the hat.
Wouter, another example of a carved wooden Philippine skull is in the book Aberrations & Oddities - Curious Tribal Art by Michael Auliso and Gregory Ghent. The carved line down the center actually goes all the way around the head. Never saw any like it at any of the Day of the Dead festivals, but I do like going to them in early November.

Best regards,
Joe
Attached Images
   
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th May 2012, 08:06 PM   #25
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

Hi again,
Sajen; your blanket or may be skirt (depends on size) is I also think worn and used by the Ifugao, as it is derived from a quite large textile from the Ifugao, called a 'baya'ong'. These were worn by more wealthy as it can be chilly there. Included a pic of such large cloth. Though have to say yours has black color and the early 20th cent pieces are in indigo blue.
Kalinga (South-)use different ones with red n d.blue stripes and embroidered with yellow n red 'pyramids'.
Thanks for sharing your pieces; very nice!

Thanks for the additional pics Joe. Have scanned and attached the pic with the woman wearing this same type of hat as in your collection. This couple would certainly be a chief n wife and are from Gadang origins (neighbours of East n North-Kalingatribes). Area; south of Tabuk city, Abra prov.Luzon.
This pic is made just after 1900.
B.T.W your brass moro helmet am sure will also make quite some folks here a bit green of envy . . .he he he. Looks almost identical to the one in Kriegers Phil arms book I think?!?

New pics form my collection still to come Oaoaoh so sunny n hot at the moment here in Holland! Made a few but not all yet. And than got to resize them all!
Attached Images
  
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th May 2012, 08:24 PM   #26
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,494
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Indianajones
Hi again,
Sajen; your blanket or may be skirt (depends on size) is I also think worn and used by the Ifugao, as it is derived from a quite large textile from the Ifugao, called a 'baya'ong'. These were worn by more wealthy as it can be chilly there. Included a pic of such large cloth. Though have to say yours has black color and the early 20th cent pieces are in indigo blue.
Kalinga (South-)use different ones with red n d.blue stripes and embroidered with yellow n red 'pyramids'.
Thanks for sharing your pieces; very nice!
Thank you! The size is 117 x 66 cm, the last picture show only the half, I have hang it up over a door. I think it is complete as there are on both sides border.

Regards,

Detlef
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th May 2012, 09:12 PM   #27
Clubs & Arrows
Member
 
Clubs & Arrows's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California
Posts: 94
Default

Wouter,
Thank you for the pic with the woven helmet/hat. I completely forgot to include pics from the book that I mentioned as far as the wooden skull. I would love to know what the actual use was, since all they do is speculate on it's purpose in the book. I thought that perhaps the groove that goes around it was to tie something around it for suspension....but again just speculation.

Best,
Joe
Attached Images
   
Clubs & Arrows is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31st May 2012, 08:40 PM   #28
Indianajones
Member
 
Indianajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 180
Default

As said, have made some new collectionpics and here are two overviews as a preview. 'Tickets can be bought at the entrance and children until 10 are for free'
On the last pic one can see the two 19cent. Ifugao wooden helmets called 'oklop' (fantastic patine!).
<got to resize the rest first>
explan.;
first pic, left corner begins with Gadang-tribe (most colorfull), Kalinga in middle (colorfull) and with Ifugao-tribe right, in corner.
second pic; right corner begins with Itaves/North-Kalinga, than basket collection, Large Ifugao or Kankanai (funeral-) blanket, shelfs with sorcery figures e.m and (hardly to be seen) the Bontoc-tribe in the left corner.
Attached Images
   
Indianajones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2012, 12:12 AM   #29
apolaki
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 160
Default Dragon/Demon Masks made by Ifugao

are the dragon/demon masks made by the ifugao authentic cultural items or are they simply tourist items that are adopted from other cultures like Native hawaiian/pacific islanders?
Attached Images
 
apolaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd June 2012, 12:23 AM   #30
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Default

TOURIST TIKI MASKS SOLD IN HAWAII LIKELY CARVED SOMEWHERE ELSE POSSIBLY PHILIPPINE.
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.