1735 Bicol ba'id chopper

Battara · 8th June 2014, 07:22 AM

After your advice and my consultation with Miguel Diaz, I designed and made a plate for the top based on the floral motifs already present. I did have to make 3 silver nails to pin it down to the top, but made a hole to integrate the tang into the design, close to what it may have been.

Miguel Diaz also thinks that the "s"s on the blade probably represent nagas (which I agree) and the top plate in the form of a triangle is to represent a mountain, sacred to our ancestors.

Sajen · 8th June 2014, 09:32 AM

Look good! And the pictures good as well!

And again, what a beautiful chopper!

I have asked in up already, are there other ba'id choppers to show?

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 8th June 2014, 08:35 PM

Great work Jose, now the top of his head doesn't look naked.

Battara · 9th June 2014, 12:46 AM

Thank you. Yeah - not bald anymore.

As far as I and some PI collectors know, this may be the only one. There may be other collectors and museums with these and don't know it. What we have seen are the decedents of these pieces.

Robert · 9th June 2014, 03:05 AM

Jose, as you are referring to this as a "chopper" would I be wrong (because of its small size) in assuming that it was intended for chopping betel nut?

Best,
Robert

CharlesS · 9th June 2014, 02:56 PM

I remember when you got this Jose. It wasn't bad then, but you have really made it "pop" with your restorations.

Working and fitting all those small silver pieces could not have been an easy chore.

Really stunning!

Battara · 11th June 2014, 01:28 AM

Thank you Charles.

Robert, I think that if it were for betel nut it would be much smaller, since most of the betel nut knives I have seen are small, much smaller. However, this size and weight might indicate a ceremonial piece for sacrifice. But this is just pure speculation. I have seen others of later manufacture but the same region of the same size and are not for sacrifice. I will therefore stick with the common usage for now.......

8th June 2014, 07:22 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,335	After your advice and my consultation with Miguel Diaz, I designed and made a plate for the top based on the floral motifs already present. I did have to make 3 silver nails to pin it down to the top, but made a hole to integrate the tang into the design, close to what it may have been. Miguel Diaz also thinks that the "s"s on the blade probably represent nagas (which I agree) and the top plate in the form of a triangle is to represent a mountain, sacred to our ancestors. Attached Images

8th June 2014, 09:32 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,351	Look good! And the pictures good as well! And again, what a beautiful chopper! I have asked in up already, are there other ba'id choppers to show? Regards, Detlef

8th June 2014, 08:35 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Great work Jose, now the top of his head doesn't look naked.

9th June 2014, 12:46 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,335	Thank you. Yeah - not bald anymore. As far as I and some PI collectors know, this may be the only one. There may be other collectors and museums with these and don't know it. What we have seen are the decedents of these pieces.

9th June 2014, 03:05 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Jose, as you are referring to this as a "chopper" would I be wrong (because of its small size) in assuming that it was intended for chopping betel nut? Best, Robert

9th June 2014, 02:56 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I remember when you got this Jose. It wasn't bad then, but you have really made it "pop" with your restorations. Working and fitting all those small silver pieces could not have been an easy chore. Really stunning!

11th June 2014, 01:28 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,335	Thank you Charles. Robert, I think that if it were for betel nut it would be much smaller, since most of the betel nut knives I have seen are small, much smaller. However, this size and weight might indicate a ceremonial piece for sacrifice. But this is just pure speculation. I have seen others of later manufacture but the same region of the same size and are not for sacrifice. I will therefore stick with the common usage for now.......