Luzon Bolo/Matulis?

ThePepperSkull · 23rd February 2014, 08:29 AM

Being mainly a Philippine collector, I realized recently that a big gap in my collection are pieces from Luzon.

With this realization came this recent acquisition. Interesting piece I won on fleabay. All pics are the auction seller's.

The reason why I am posting this is not only is my Luzon collection a bit thin, but so is general knowledge regarding Luzon pieces themselves.

How old would this one be? Katipunan-era? Anything noteworthy about this piece? I notice that leaf/vine motif is a common theme with nicer pieces with silver (I assume from pics) mounts like this. Is there any significance to that?

ThePepperSkull · 23rd February 2014, 08:37 AM

Also, would we be able to discern by blade shape or handle shape or manufacture style which area of Luzon this came from? Does anyone have any pieces of similar manufacture?

(Jose and Ron, I await your input with anticipation

)

Sajen · 23rd February 2014, 09:32 AM

Can't help by your questions but it is a beautiful Matulis, please post pictures with the cleaned up silver when you have received it!

Regards,

Detlef

carlos · 23rd February 2014, 07:34 PM

Beautiful piece, I saw in EBay but finally I didn,t bid, If nobody had bid and seller had relisted maybe I had bid, is a great piece !!
Congratulations and if in the future you decide to sellit ...please remember me

best regards
carlos-

Battara · 23rd February 2014, 08:18 PM

Congratulations! I almost went for this myself, except I ran out of money just before it ended.

I would hazard a guess from the blade profile that it is mid-southern Luzon, placing this as possibly a Tagalog piece. Probably belonging to an officer due to the stars, the silver, and the carved horn. Since it uses 3 silver stars like this, I would also assume that it is not Katipunan but 1st Republic/Philippine Revolutionary period (3 stars for the 3 main island groups in unity), meaning 1898-1901.

The original scabbard would have been made of black leather with silver mounts, probably with the Malayan sun face and 3 stars within a triangle.

Oh yes, the vine motif like this is usually reserved for upper Philippine Revolutionary ranks, perhaps the rank of general.

If you could get provenance on this that would be spectacular (if it exists).

ThePepperSkull · 24th February 2014, 11:34 PM

Thanks, Jose! That's really helpful for me. I wasn't aware that the triple star symbolism wasn't in use until aguinaldo's republic was established. The use of vine motif as rank signification is something I was unaware of as well.

Doing a quick search of these forums I also found this post regarding the distinction between Katipunan and 1st republic pieces along with some historical context by Dimasalang.

Using that bit of info as well, could we posit that this was a Philippine Republic-era piece (as evidenced by the Luz-vi-min stars) that belonged to someone who was once a high ranking katipunan member (as evidenced by the vine motif carving) or did the Vines become a more stylistic choice on the panday's part after the Katipunan organization was dissolved?

23rd February 2014, 08:29 AM	#1
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Luzon Bolo/Matulis? Being mainly a Philippine collector, I realized recently that a big gap in my collection are pieces from Luzon. With this realization came this recent acquisition. Interesting piece I won on fleabay. All pics are the auction seller's. The reason why I am posting this is not only is my Luzon collection a bit thin, but so is general knowledge regarding Luzon pieces themselves. How old would this one be? Katipunan-era? Anything noteworthy about this piece? I notice that leaf/vine motif is a common theme with nicer pieces with silver (I assume from pics) mounts like this. Is there any significance to that? Attached Images

24th February 2014, 11:34 PM	#6
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Thanks, Jose! That's really helpful for me. I wasn't aware that the triple star symbolism wasn't in use until aguinaldo's republic was established. The use of vine motif as rank signification is something I was unaware of as well. Doing a quick search of these forums I also found this post regarding the distinction between Katipunan and 1st republic pieces along with some historical context by Dimasalang. Using that bit of info as well, could we posit that this was a Philippine Republic-era piece (as evidenced by the Luz-vi-min stars) that belonged to someone who was once a high ranking katipunan member (as evidenced by the vine motif carving) or did the Vines become a more stylistic choice on the panday's part after the Katipunan organization was dissolved? Last edited by ThePepperSkull; 24th February 2014 at 11:43 PM. Reason: Grammar correction

23rd February 2014, 08:37 AM	#2
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Also, would we be able to discern by blade shape or handle shape or manufacture style which area of Luzon this came from? Does anyone have any pieces of similar manufacture? (Jose and Ron, I await your input with anticipation )

23rd February 2014, 09:32 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Can't help by your questions but it is a beautiful Matulis, please post pictures with the cleaned up silver when you have received it! Regards, Detlef

23rd February 2014, 07:34 PM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Beautiful piece, I saw in EBay but finally I didn,t bid, If nobody had bid and seller had relisted maybe I had bid, is a great piece !! Congratulations and if in the future you decide to sellit ...please remember me best regards carlos-

23rd February 2014, 08:18 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Congratulations! I almost went for this myself, except I ran out of money just before it ended. I would hazard a guess from the blade profile that it is mid-southern Luzon, placing this as possibly a Tagalog piece. Probably belonging to an officer due to the stars, the silver, and the carved horn. Since it uses 3 silver stars like this, I would also assume that it is not Katipunan but 1st Republic/Philippine Revolutionary period (3 stars for the 3 main island groups in unity), meaning 1898-1901. The original scabbard would have been made of black leather with silver mounts, probably with the Malayan sun face and 3 stars within a triangle. Oh yes, the vine motif like this is usually reserved for upper Philippine Revolutionary ranks, perhaps the rank of general. If you could get provenance on this that would be spectacular (if it exists).