Two Bontoc/Igorot Ballaka Hats And A Pipe

[Robert]

Just for fun here are some photos of two ballaka hats and a tobacco pipe brought back in the late 1920's or early 1930's. From what I can find out these as well as the pipe are from Cordillera Central (or central mountain range) on the northern Philippine island of Luzon. Hats are complete with feathers?, boars tusk and bone buttons as decorations. The last photo shows a group of men wearing similar hats. I was told (or read somewhere) that the more decorated hats of this style are worn by bachelors and the less adorned ones are worn by married men. This custom unfortunately seems to be practiced by many cultures. These pieces are all from one group of items I purchased a few months back that also included various textiles. Everything had been stored in a cabinet, which would explains the great condition that they are still in. All comments and any information on these will as always be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert