Datu Class Bagobo Bolo

[Battara]

Greetings.

I got this last year and took a lot of time on this. The end was missing, so I had to remake and carve a new section that was missing on the terminal end. Thus I also made the brass ends from scratch.

The brass work on the front of the hilt was missing as well, so I made this from scratch as well, although I did buy the little tiger bells. I also placed beads inside the top of the brass cup as per tradition for talismanic value.

I was able to stabilize parts of the beadwork on the scabbard, and hand sewed parts of the beadwork back together, though major parts were good.

You will notice a long strap. Ian and I discussed this and figured that this probably belonged to a shoulder bag at one time.

I based my work on research, and a big thanks to Ian for his insights.

BTW - I did etch the blade but nothing came out so far. Interesting fuller work on it though.

This example belonged to a datu (according to examples carried by Bagobo datus) and I would put this from the late 19th century at least.

Rare to get an example like this.

Enjoy.