My 2 new adquisitions from Philippines

[Rick]

The pommel on the ebony(?)hilt seems reminiscent of the Lasara motif seen on Nias swords.
Lucky you.


http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1433439036

[Ian]

Two very nice swords. The hilts are what stand out. The familiar Naga motif on the longer one and (perhaps) a Lazara form on the other. I agree with Rick that the shorter one is likely from Sumatra, but it's not a familiar blade for Nias. That Naga style has been associated with Sulu swords previously.

[Battara]

Wonderful examples!

The second piece with the ebony carving seems to me to have a Visayan look, perhaps like from Panay Island.

Inserts on the barong look like ivory the black parts do look like ebony inserts. I love the naga form on these. When I grow up I may get one too......

[Sajen]

Hello Carlos, great swords, just beautiful and very unique! Congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

[carlos]

Thanks allí for your information!!!!
The dark inlays are made from wood, yes !

[kai]

Very nice collection of early Filipino swords, Carlos!

I agree that the other blade might well have a Lumad origin, especially Mandaya and possibly related groups; even despite figural hilts not being documented from this area - also neighbouring Visayan islands may be a possibility. Do I assume correctly though that the edge doesn't exhibit a chisel grind?

While of somewhat similar shape, I'd posit that the Luzon bolos are not as closely related. However, they may hint at an earlier ancestral blade shared more widely across the islands.

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

Originally Posted by kai

...
I agree that the other blade might well have a Lumad origin, especially Mandaya and possibly related groups; even despite figural hilts not being documented from this area ...

This does not look Mandayan to me. The hilt would be highly unusual, as would the inscribed blade. Also, the blade lacks the little "nubbin" along the cutting edge where it angles down sharply. Incidentally, I think the right hand sword in Carlos' picture of five is Mandayan, showing the typical hilt form and blade with (what I think) is that small "nubbin" on the edge.

... also neighbouring Visayan islands may be a possibility. Do I assume correctly though that the edge doesn't exhibit a chisel grind? ...

There's a lot of Visayan odd deity hilts but I've not seen one like this, especially with curly hair. It's sort of reminiscent of a Sinhalese lion with that curly mane.

While of somewhat similar shape, I'd posit that the Luzon bolos are not as closely related. However, they may hint at an earlier ancestral blade shared more widely across the islands. ...

The resemblance seems vague to me and I don't know of any hilt forms like that in northern Luzon.

I'm in the not-Filipino camp for this one.

[kai]

Hello Rick & Ian,

The pommel on the ebony(?)hilt seems reminiscent of the Lasara motif seen on Nias swords.

This figural hilt is definitely not from Nias. I do see where you are coming from. However, the carving details and ferrule as well as the blade don't vibe with Nias (nor any related cultures).

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1433439036

There is a Nias hilt style that seems even closer to Carlos' example than the most well known Nias sword hilt. Let me see if I can dredge up a pic for posting.

Regards,
Kai