Bolo Re-Hash

[Robert]

I'm bringing up the discussion on this bolo in a new thread in hopes that some of our member who never saw the original post or maybe some of our newer members might have some new ideas of where and when this bolo was produced. I think that the pictures below are a little better than any of the ones previously posted and hope that they might better help in the identification of this piece. Any and all thoughts or information on this bolo would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Robert

[Bangkaya]

Hello Robert,
Your bolo seems to be an amalgamation of two cultures different Filipino ethnic groups. The sword and scabbard looks to be Waray in origin although with an usual blade form either from Leyte or Samar. The monkey skull and rattan binding comes from northern Luzon and is usually found on those tourist pinahigs of the Igorots. You'll notice that the skull and the binding is much darker since they smoke them under a fire to get them darker. It seems that someone put those together for some reason or another. I've never seen a Waray sword adorned with a monkey skull before. Interesting though.

Regards,
Bangkaya

[A Senefelder]

Not my area of expertise at all but the money skull reminds me of some of the few Naga items i've owned over the years.

[Indianajones]

My suggestion would be; loose the monkeyskull (which is certainly added later to make the 'nukky old dusty sword' a bit more saleable).
The shape of the sword is a visayan type (Panay/Negros isld), though the scabbard and handle do tend me to believe its more from the mainland; Bicolregion or more south. As they are bit more unusual and different shaped than most I've seen.
Nice good old piece anyway. Like that curve-ending of the scabbard. All honest (except the skull); to my humble opinion quite an oldy; 1890- 1920's

Hope it helps. Greets

b.t.w that "doorknob" below the protuding wood band on the scabbard would once have been connected by means of a wood 'bridge' (hence the splinter off the band) under which a textile band would slip to wear the sword on the hips.

[Robert]

Hello Wouter, And thank you very much for your reply and thoughts on this bolo. I will probably remove the skull from the scabbard in the next few days as it seems to be the one thing that everyone is in agreement on. It will more than likely look better sitting on a shelf by itself than attached to the scabbard anyway. I am still hoping that others will share their ideas on this item as well. Again, my thanks to you for your help.


Regards,
Robert

[Sajen]

Hello Robert,

I still remember the original ebay auction and the first thread. I don't think that the seller attached the skull to the scabbard and the binding look old and worn so it is maybe from the original owner. I personally wouln'd remove the skull. Have a look under the binding if you can see patina under the binding. When not is the skull already long with the scabbard.

Regards,

Detlef

[Indianajones]

Robert, yes would also like to see someone else (knowledgable) to confirm it is from Bicol/south Luzon or another region.
I do believe it is a rare piece as it(IF from there) was populated not by much folk. Also the shape reminds me more of pirate pieces. And this is not romanticising as there was a body of piratefolk, I believed called 'Malolos', swarming around the islands originating from South Luzon.

"Someone" has attached the skull and the other threads around the scabbard to hold the two halfs together. Originally the two parts of the scabbard would have been hold together by some more (narrow)woven rattan bands. When you take a better look at your scabbard you will see the lighter strokes where the rattan bands would have been; I have gently marked the strokes with red dots along for indication -V-.