2 Panabas and a Panaba-sauris for comment

Robert · 24th April 2016, 12:18 AM

I could be completely wrong, but the two pieces with the decorative metalwork at the junction of blade and hilt remind me of pieces I have seen that were attributed to the peoples of the Northern Luzon Cordillera. I do not believe that these would have been made strictly for the tourist market if for no other reason than that their size alone would limit their sales to most tourist. This of course is JMHO. Hopefully some of our Filipino experts will see this and offer their opinions on these two very interesting items.

Best,
Robert

kino · 24th April 2016, 12:32 AM

Fantasy, I believe not. Ceremonial, probable. Art form, definitely.

I have a Panabas with a similar blade profile but not as elaborate as drac2k's.
Mine is Moro and I would wager that drac2k's are as well.

drac2k · 24th April 2016, 01:23 AM

Now, that is a beautiful panabas !!!

DaveS · 24th April 2016, 03:46 AM

I had one that was exactly the same shape as an Egyptian bronze sickle sword. Never seen one that shape before, and it was smaller than the usuall panabas, but it had quite a bit of age to it also. unfortunately i sold it a couple of months back. If i see that guy again at a show i'm going to ask him if he would bring it back again so i can get some pictures. It was the strangest form of panabas that i've ever seen...........Dave

Battara · 24th April 2016, 08:30 PM

Back then Moros did have ceremonial weapons, functional, but ceremonial. If these fancy pieces are substantial in manufacture, then I would agree that they are probably not quickly made tourist pieces, but for ceremonys and ritual use.

Ian · 25th April 2016, 04:22 PM

Very nice collection with some unusual examples.

The smallest one looks like a tabas, which is the agricultural version of a panabas, that is used like an axe to cut down small trees, chop firewood, lop branches, etc.--the forging on this blade is also cruder than the others.

Ian

drac2k · 25th April 2016, 07:01 PM

Thank you ; I tend to agree with you.It has the look and the hard wear that a agricultural tool would have.

24th April 2016, 12:32 AM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,002	Fantasy, I believe not. Ceremonial, probable. Art form, definitely. I have a Panabas with a similar blade profile but not as elaborate as drac2k's. Mine is Moro and I would wager that drac2k's are as well. Attached Images

24th April 2016, 12:18 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I could be completely wrong, but the two pieces with the decorative metalwork at the junction of blade and hilt remind me of pieces I have seen that were attributed to the peoples of the Northern Luzon Cordillera. I do not believe that these would have been made strictly for the tourist market if for no other reason than that their size alone would limit their sales to most tourist. This of course is JMHO. Hopefully some of our Filipino experts will see this and offer their opinions on these two very interesting items. Best, Robert

24th April 2016, 01:23 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Now, that is a beautiful panabas !!!

24th April 2016, 03:46 AM	#4
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	I had one that was exactly the same shape as an Egyptian bronze sickle sword. Never seen one that shape before, and it was smaller than the usuall panabas, but it had quite a bit of age to it also. unfortunately i sold it a couple of months back. If i see that guy again at a show i'm going to ask him if he would bring it back again so i can get some pictures. It was the strangest form of panabas that i've ever seen...........Dave

24th April 2016, 08:30 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Back then Moros did have ceremonial weapons, functional, but ceremonial. If these fancy pieces are substantial in manufacture, then I would agree that they are probably not quickly made tourist pieces, but for ceremonys and ritual use.

25th April 2016, 04:22 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Very nice collection with some unusual examples. The smallest one looks like a tabas, which is the agricultural version of a panabas, that is used like an axe to cut down small trees, chop firewood, lop branches, etc.--the forging on this blade is also cruder than the others. Ian

25th April 2016, 07:01 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thank you ; I tend to agree with you.It has the look and the hard wear that a agricultural tool would have.