Two Bagobo swords for repatriation ...

[Ian]

These two good Bagobo swords are on their way back home to the Philippines.

The first one is the best Bagobo sword I have owned and handled. The blade, hilt, and scabbard are all excellent. The blade has a sharpened back edge that runs about 7 inches back from the tip. The wooden scabbard has many Bagobo features including ikat, gold thread, beadwork, and a bifid toe with brass terminals. This is a datu class weapon.

The second has a fat belly blade and fuller, with file work at forte. The back edge is also sharpened for about 6 inches. The brass work on the hilt is typical Bagobo work, as is the wooden pommel. The scabbard is very plain with A red cloth wrap and a string belt. The file work at forte is occasionally seen on this style of Bagobo sword.

.

[Marbel]

Hello Ian,

These are beautiful pieces. Thank you for caring for them over the years and congratulations on the sales. Sounds like a win win result. Nicely done.

Craig

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Marbel

Helo Ian,

These are beautiful pieces. Thank you for caring for them over the years and congratulations on the sales. Sounds like a win win result. Nicely done.

Craig

Thanks Craig. We are only caretakers of these artifacts. They deserve the love and respect they may have been shown in the original culture. I'm pleased they are going home and to someone who really appreciates the history of these weapons and their use.

I have several more that I will put up on these pages over the next few weeks, mainly for the Archives.

[Battara]

Are they going to a collector or museum?

[kino]

I would have a hard time parting with those beauties.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Battara

Are they going to a collector or museum?

Battara, they are going to a collector who is a well known enthusiast and researcher of Filipino weapons. I have heard too many bad stories about trying to send items to museums in the Philippines. Excellent pieces seem to "disappear" into poorly maintained storage facilities or end up somehow being sold privately.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by kino

I would have a hard time parting with those beauties.

It is hard to part with fine pieces like these two. But I am getting old and don't wish to leave my family with the task of disposing of them. None of the kids has an interest in swords, knives, or other sharp/pointy things. I have been putting some of my collection on the Swap Forum here and on a popular web auction site. The better pieces, I try to find a good home for—usually someone I know who will keep them long term rather than sell them on for a profit.

At some point, a collector turns into a seller. I'm at that stage now.

Regards,

Ian.

[kino]

Originally Posted by Ian

At some point, a collector turns into a seller.

Ian.

How true.

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Ian

I have heard too many bad stories about trying to send items to museums in the Philippines. Excellent pieces seem to "disappear" into poorly maintained storage facilities or end up somehow being sold privately.

I have heard and have been told the same thing. Good choice.

[Ian]

This is the type of response that makes me want to repatriate more of my swords and knives.

They just arrived! They really are exemplary samples, especially the complete one. A Lumad culture bearer went as far as to label the complete one as a "national treasure." I'm in talks with a private museum to feature the complete one to the general public, especially to Lumad descendants, for awareness into just how exemplary their artifacts used to be.

Utmost thanks in allowing these two to go home!!!

[Marbel]

Nicely done Ian. Thanks for sharing

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

This is the type of response that makes me want to repatriate more of my swords and knives.

Well done Ian!