Ifuago Ritual Dagger

Bill M · 29th August 2008, 03:17 AM

Acquired this from a professor of archeology who collected the dagger and an interesting shaman hat back in the 1950's. The hat is a nice example of basket weaving and has an old native repair. I'll post it also if there is any interest.

The professor was studying the famous Banaue Rice Terraces.

The hat and dagger seem very authentic. The wood carving somehow reminds me a little of the Batak shapes.

Has a spooky presence.

Blade is very good quality metal, and, no I am not going to clean and stain it!

VVV · 29th August 2008, 07:59 AM

Very nice!!!

I don't know much about Ifugao but this one reminds me more than a little about Batak motifs.

Michael

Bill M · 29th August 2008, 09:58 AM

Hi Michael,

It looks Batak to me also, as I mentioned in my original post. The shaman hat has a label, describing it as Ifuago. The dagger is missing its label with just a piece of string remaining.

As I purchased this from the original collector's estate, there may be a mixup. Whatever it is, it has a definite feeling of age, authenticity and power -- perhaps menace.

The horse motif has similarities with the Sumba, (or Sumbawa) pony. Have not seen this style in Ifuago.

The dagger, possibly spear point, is certainly old and very well made. Possibly a trade piece?

I have a good head basket that I can post with the hat. Perhaps we can put together a setting.

Though I wish these pieces could talk, I wonder if we would want to hear some of the things they could say!

VVV · 29th August 2008, 10:47 AM

Bill,

The horse motif is Sumba, not Sumbawa.
And of course I would love to see the shaman's hat too.

Michael

Marcokeris · 29th August 2008, 12:16 PM

IMO the hilt is 100% Batak (VERY NICE).About blade i'dont know

kino · 29th August 2008, 02:14 PM

The blade doesn't look Bontoc or Ifugao.
Is that horse hair on it? Is the professor still with the living, could probably ask where he collected if he is?

Battara · 30th August 2008, 01:09 AM

This is nice, but definitely not Ifugao. My first thought was also Batak.

Marcokeris · 30th August 2008, 07:50 PM

A same Batak motif (but more younger

)

Dajak · 30th August 2008, 09:12 PM

Hi Bill the Item is Batak

could be from an Batak staf the top .

Ben

Bill M · 30th August 2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Bill the Item is Batak

could be from an Batak staff the top .

Ben

Thank you all for confirming this is Batak.

29th August 2008, 03:17 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Ifuago Ritual Dagger Acquired this from a professor of archeology who collected the dagger and an interesting shaman hat back in the 1950's. The hat is a nice example of basket weaving and has an old native repair. I'll post it also if there is any interest. The professor was studying the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. The hat and dagger seem very authentic. The wood carving somehow reminds me a little of the Batak shapes. Has a spooky presence. Blade is very good quality metal, and, no I am not going to clean and stain it! Attached Images

30th August 2008, 07:50 PM	#8
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	A same Batak motif (but more younger ) Attached Images

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29th August 2008, 07:59 AM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Very nice!!! I don't know much about Ifugao but this one reminds me more than a little about Batak motifs. Michael

29th August 2008, 09:58 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Hi Michael, It looks Batak to me also, as I mentioned in my original post. The shaman hat has a label, describing it as Ifuago. The dagger is missing its label with just a piece of string remaining. As I purchased this from the original collector's estate, there may be a mixup. Whatever it is, it has a definite feeling of age, authenticity and power -- perhaps menace. The horse motif has similarities with the Sumba, (or Sumbawa) pony. Have not seen this style in Ifuago. The dagger, possibly spear point, is certainly old and very well made. Possibly a trade piece? I have a good head basket that I can post with the hat. Perhaps we can put together a setting. Though I wish these pieces could talk, I wonder if we would want to hear some of the things they could say!

29th August 2008, 10:47 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Bill, The horse motif is Sumba, not Sumbawa. And of course I would love to see the shaman's hat too. Michael

29th August 2008, 12:16 PM	#5
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	IMO the hilt is 100% Batak (VERY NICE).About blade i'dont know

29th August 2008, 02:14 PM	#6
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,002	The blade doesn't look Bontoc or Ifugao. Is that horse hair on it? Is the professor still with the living, could probably ask where he collected if he is?

30th August 2008, 01:09 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	This is nice, but definitely not Ifugao. My first thought was also Batak.

30th August 2008, 09:12 PM	#9
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Bill the Item is Batak could be from an Batak staf the top . Ben