Ethnographic Textiles + Weapons

JeffS · 12th February 2010, 09:34 PM

I've noticed that most advanced weapon making cultures also have tremendous weaving traditions. Does anyone here match textiles and weapons from the same cultural groups? I have some very broad regional matches, but no precise cultural matches. The textiles make a great backdrop for displaying the weapons.

Battara · 12th February 2010, 10:29 PM

HI Dizos,

Some of us do display textiles with out toys...er...weapons. Here are 2 of my examples:

The first one (left) is a picture of a Kalinga datu head axe with Kalinga shield and the background textile is also Kalinga.

The second display (right) is a Moro suit of armour with a Moro (Samal) barong, a Moro twistcore spear, and a Moro textile (Maranao malong) in the background.

JeffS · 12th February 2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

HI Dizos,

The first one (left) is a picture of a Kalinga datu head axe with Kalinga shield and the background textile is also Kalinga.

The second display (right) is a Moro suit of armour with a Moro (Samal) barong, a Moro twistcore spear, and a Moro textile (Maranao malong) in the background.

That's what I'm talking about. Tremendous!

Battara · 13th February 2010, 12:05 AM

Thank you. I think they go hand in hand, if you can get the textiles. We had a similar thread in the past, though I don't know where it is. The cultural context of our pieces brings out the piece more as a part of a whole instead of a display in isolation. Again if you can get the textiles. Do you have any textiles that go with your toys?

Jim McDougall · 13th February 2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizos

I've noticed that most advanced weapon making cultures also have tremendous weaving traditions. Does anyone here match textiles and weapons from the same cultural groups? I have some very broad regional matches, but no precise cultural matches. The textiles make a great backdrop for displaying the weapons.

Excellent topic Dizos!
Actually in ethnographic material culture it is well established that there are often similiarities in symbolism in the motif of textiles, such as Berber items and in the Middle East in certain cases with rugs, with that found on weapons decoration. It seems like there was once a book titled "The Afghan Amulet", I forget details and the author, but the theme was with regard to the importance of amuletic motif in textiles. I thought it might be good potential for studying decorative motif, but did not pursue it further regrettably. Hope there will be takers here

All the best,
Jim

Rumpel · 13th February 2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Excellent topic Dizos!
Actually in ethnographic material culture it is well established that there are often similiarities in symbolism in the motif of textiles, such as Berber items and in the Middle East in certain cases with rugs, with that found on weapons decoration. It seems like there was once a book titled "The Afghan Amulet", I forget details and the author, but the theme was with regard to the importance of amuletic motif in textiles. I thought it might be good potential for studying decorative motif, but did not pursue it further regrettably. Hope there will be takers here

Sheila Payne. I also have her more recent effort. As a slightly snobby anthropologist, I have to say her ideas are quite diffusionist, and un-grounded in fact. But still quite fun...

On a similar note, there's a dealer in Portobello with an Afghan (Tajik?) embroidered saddle jezail sheath that's utterly beautiful, and would quite fit my (heavily prettified) jezail, but his stall's been shut for weeks...

If any London-based members are interested in textiles, there's an amazing small shop on Islington Green- Uzbek chapans etc, mid-1800s. The owner held an exhibition (and wrote the catalogue, which I own) for the V&A. Quite spectacular.

edit: and don't get me started on suzanis... oy...

carlos · 13th February 2010, 08:49 AM

I have only one combination between weapons and textiles and this is one of my best kampilan.
Thanks
carlos

Nagawarrior · 13th February 2010, 05:12 PM

I have placed a rug from the Caucasus on the wall behind my Cherkeska : the traditional outer garment of the Caucasian tribesmen, worn by Kuban and Terek Cossacks, in this weapon and textile display.
Some of the symbolism seen on the rug.
Ram's Horn - Sheep and rams were a vital source of warmth and comfort, as well as being central to the livelihood of the tribe. Their wool was the primary material used in weaving, which they considered a sacred activity. Throughout history, the ram's horn has been used to summon the group together as one. The ram's horn symbolizes strength, power and fertility, suggesting that life itself is not temporary, but eternal.
Star of Wisdom - The eight-pointed star is an archetypal symbol that appears in cave drawings and likely stems from the dawn of mankind. This motif depicts man's potential for inner wisdom and understanding; in fact King Solomon wore an eight-pointed star on his ring as a reminder of inner striving. The tribal weavers lived an elemental lifestyle with minimal possessions. They believed that wisdom was the true wealth that could be obtained through the striving one made amidst the many challenges of one's daily activities.
Thanks to Claremont Rug Company for symbolism info.

Jim McDougall · 13th February 2010, 05:54 PM

Thank you so much for the response Rumpel! Yes it indeed was Sheila Payne, and now that you mention it, the book was very much intended for very general audience and, entertaining, I suppose somewhat in 'Indiana Jones' fashion. Not a bad thing, but not entirely helpful from the perspective I was then seeking.
Intriguing notes on the Central Asian stuff there, and these vendors sound fascinating as I imagine the things you must have access to finding!!!
There definitely is a lot to be discovered in aligning these material culture symbols with weaponry and accoutrements of these regions, and I really look forward to more discussion.

Naga, thats exactly what we're talking about!and thank you for sharing those key notes on symbolism in these rugs (absolutely fantastic grouping there of weapons, and especially with the dimension added with the rugs).It is to me patently impossible to be in the presence of these kinds of rugs without imagination and resulting temporal adventures getting the best of me

Jose, speaking of adventures! Very, very nice grouping there as well, and its great to see these variations in them carrying the same comprehensive effect. Wow!

Carlos, a beautiful kampilan, and again, this addition of the material and bells represent important talismanic symbolism. Very nice example and thank you for sharing it.

All the very best,
Jim

12th February 2010, 09:34 PM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 344	Ethnographic Textiles + Weapons I've noticed that most advanced weapon making cultures also have tremendous weaving traditions. Does anyone here match textiles and weapons from the same cultural groups? I have some very broad regional matches, but no precise cultural matches. The textiles make a great backdrop for displaying the weapons.

12th February 2010, 10:29 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	HI Dizos, Some of us do display textiles with out toys...er...weapons. Here are 2 of my examples: The first one (left) is a picture of a Kalinga datu head axe with Kalinga shield and the background textile is also Kalinga. The second display (right) is a Moro suit of armour with a Moro (Samal) barong, a Moro twistcore spear, and a Moro textile (Maranao malong) in the background. Attached Images

13th February 2010, 08:49 AM	#7
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	I have only one combination between weapons and textiles and this is one of my best kampilan. Thanks carlos Attached Images

13th February 2010, 12:05 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Thank you. I think they go hand in hand, if you can get the textiles. We had a similar thread in the past, though I don't know where it is. The cultural context of our pieces brings out the piece more as a part of a whole instead of a display in isolation. Again if you can get the textiles. Do you have any textiles that go with your toys?

13th February 2010, 05:12 PM	#8
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	I have placed a rug from the Caucasus on the wall behind my Cherkeska : the traditional outer garment of the Caucasian tribesmen, worn by Kuban and Terek Cossacks, in this weapon and textile display. Some of the symbolism seen on the rug. Ram's Horn - Sheep and rams were a vital source of warmth and comfort, as well as being central to the livelihood of the tribe. Their wool was the primary material used in weaving, which they considered a sacred activity. Throughout history, the ram's horn has been used to summon the group together as one. The ram's horn symbolizes strength, power and fertility, suggesting that life itself is not temporary, but eternal. Star of Wisdom - The eight-pointed star is an archetypal symbol that appears in cave drawings and likely stems from the dawn of mankind. This motif depicts man's potential for inner wisdom and understanding; in fact King Solomon wore an eight-pointed star on his ring as a reminder of inner striving. The tribal weavers lived an elemental lifestyle with minimal possessions. They believed that wisdom was the true wealth that could be obtained through the striving one made amidst the many challenges of one's daily activities. Thanks to Claremont Rug Company for symbolism info.

13th February 2010, 05:54 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Thank you so much for the response Rumpel! Yes it indeed was Sheila Payne, and now that you mention it, the book was very much intended for very general audience and, entertaining, I suppose somewhat in 'Indiana Jones' fashion. Not a bad thing, but not entirely helpful from the perspective I was then seeking. Intriguing notes on the Central Asian stuff there, and these vendors sound fascinating as I imagine the things you must have access to finding!!! There definitely is a lot to be discovered in aligning these material culture symbols with weaponry and accoutrements of these regions, and I really look forward to more discussion. Naga, thats exactly what we're talking about!and thank you for sharing those key notes on symbolism in these rugs (absolutely fantastic grouping there of weapons, and especially with the dimension added with the rugs).It is to me patently impossible to be in the presence of these kinds of rugs without imagination and resulting temporal adventures getting the best of me Jose, speaking of adventures! Very, very nice grouping there as well, and its great to see these variations in them carrying the same comprehensive effect. Wow! Carlos, a beautiful kampilan, and again, this addition of the material and bells represent important talismanic symbolism. Very nice example and thank you for sharing it. All the very best, Jim