New Panabas

[Robert]

I just received this Maranao Panabas on a trade and would appreciate
your thoughts on it. The overall length is slightly over 32 inches with a blade length of slightly over 16 inches. These measurements were taken in a straight line from the tip of the blade to where it connects to the hilt and then from there to the end of the hilt. Heavy brass bands hold the blade tight with decorative brass panels covering most of the wooden hilt/handle. If you look closely, all of the brass panels are slightly different from each other not only in size and width but with slight differences and imperfections in each piece that show that each one was made separately and not just cut from one longer strip of decorated brass banding. Unfortunately one piece of decoration on the very end of the hilt is missing. The wood of the hilt has shrunk from age leaving some of the decorative brass slightly loose. The pictures for some reason do not show the patina on the brass anywhere near as dark as it actually is. All information and thoughts you have on this piece will be greatly appreciated.

Robert

P.S.
Thank you Jose for your help in identifying where this was from.

[CharlesS]

Congrats! ...a very attractive piece. I am most curious to see imput on its age, though it clearly is not new or recent.

Again, a very attractive panabas.

[Robert]

Hello Charles and thank you for your kind words. I too am most interested in hearing what the experts have to say about the possible age of this most unusual piece as well as any other information that they may offer. I wish that I could get at least one picture that would show the true patina of the brass work.

Robert

[Sajen]

Hello Robert,

now I am a little bit green with envy! Very nice panabas, congratulation! A panabas is very up on my wish list. Do you plan to clean the blade and give it an etch?

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

Nice piece. Hard to determine age on this. I would guess at 1910s to 1920s. It is Maranao in origin (possibly Maguindanao but leaning more Maranao) according to the okir I see in the bands.

[Robert]

Detlef, thank you for your interest and compliments on this. I am sure that you will be able to find one for your own collection soon. As for etching the blade goes, I really haven't decided if I will or just leave it as is.
Jose, thank you very much for your help in dating this item. Do you think that by the way this is decorated that it would have been more of a status piece or possibly a ceremonial item? Again my thanks to everyone for their comments so far.

Robert