TALIBONG AKLAN

tanaruz · 15th April 2022, 10:17 AM

Hello. A blessed holy week to all.

Sharing my first antique (more than 100 years old) talibong from the mountainous area of Aklan. This was offered to me by a very much well-known blade artisan/maker in Libacao, Aklan.

The blade (linamay profile) is more than 100 years old. The scabbard is new with the INISDA (fish-tail) design.

Hilt is made from carabao horn, with repoussed silver sheets (NOT fully wrapped in silver). Maranhig/deity pommel design. Muromunggo on the tip of the proboscis.

According to the seller in Libacao, this type of talibong is what they call a TINANGGUHAN (the FEMALE version of this talibong). This is because the silver is NOT fully wrapped on the entire hilt/handle. A fully-wrapped version is what they call a Sapot/sinapot (the MALE version).

Scabbard: LANIPGA wood with UBARAN fiber fasteners.

28.75 inches overall length/ blade: 18.75 inches

Enjoy,

Regards,

Yves

xasterix · 15th April 2022, 10:24 AM

Nice talibong! Would like to ask, are the ferrule and guard made of nickel-silver?

CharlesS · 15th April 2022, 12:49 PM

Lovely example! Do you think the scabbard is later?

So nice to find these things so complete and in such nice condition!

tanaruz · 16th April 2022, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Lovely example! Do you think the scabbard is later?

So nice to find these things so complete and in such nice condition!

Thank you Sir Charles. Yes, the scabbard is of recent made. According to the bladesmith who sold me this piece, this talibong was sent to his shop to be sold but there's no more scabbard. So he fashioned a new scabbard for this old warrior.

Kind regards,

Yves

ariel · 16th April 2022, 05:41 AM

This is not my area of knowledge, but simply on general principles, how truly old is the blade of this « old warrior”?
I cannot see any edge nicks, signs of resharpening, scars or any expected consequences of actual use.
I am not trying to cast doubt on the veracity of the seller, just interested in learnlng something new for me.
Could it be a decorative/ceremonial/tourist version?

tanaruz · 16th April 2022, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

This is not my area of knowledge, but simply on general principles, how truly old is the blade of this « old warrior”?
I cannot see any edge nicks, signs of resharpening, scars or any expected consequences of actual use.
I am not trying to cast doubt on the veracity of the seller, just interested in learnlng something new for me.
Could it be a decorative/ceremonial/tourist version?

Hello Sir,

1) 'how truly old is the blade of this old warrior'?- Before this talibong was purchased, a provenance was requested. From the first owner to the latest one (who eventually sold this piece). This piece was handed down for generations. And it's more than 100 years old;
2) this piece, in my opinion, is a heirloom piece. If you've read my original post, you would note that this piece (which is the female version), together with a male version(sapot) is offered as a dowry/gift to the parents of the bride before marriage. Never been used in battle (so there are no nicks, re-sharpening, scars). So, a ceremonial piece (not a tourist version nor for decorative purposes).

Regards

Yves

ariel · 16th April 2022, 08:13 PM

Got it.
So it is an old ceremonial sword and not an “old warrior”.
Now I understand. Thanks for the information.

15th April 2022, 10:17 AM	#1
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 267	TALIBONG AKLAN Hello. A blessed holy week to all. Sharing my first antique (more than 100 years old) talibong from the mountainous area of Aklan. This was offered to me by a very much well-known blade artisan/maker in Libacao, Aklan. The blade (linamay profile) is more than 100 years old. The scabbard is new with the INISDA (fish-tail) design. Hilt is made from carabao horn, with repoussed silver sheets (NOT fully wrapped in silver). Maranhig/deity pommel design. Muromunggo on the tip of the proboscis. According to the seller in Libacao, this type of talibong is what they call a TINANGGUHAN (the FEMALE version of this talibong). This is because the silver is NOT fully wrapped on the entire hilt/handle. A fully-wrapped version is what they call a Sapot/sinapot (the MALE version). Scabbard: LANIPGA wood with UBARAN fiber fasteners. 28.75 inches overall length/ blade: 18.75 inches Enjoy, Regards, Yves Attached Images

15th April 2022, 10:24 AM	#2
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 653	Nice talibong! Would like to ask, are the ferrule and guard made of nickel-silver?

15th April 2022, 12:49 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Lovely example! Do you think the scabbard is later? So nice to find these things so complete and in such nice condition!

16th April 2022, 05:41 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This is not my area of knowledge, but simply on general principles, how truly old is the blade of this « old warrior”? I cannot see any edge nicks, signs of resharpening, scars or any expected consequences of actual use. I am not trying to cast doubt on the veracity of the seller, just interested in learnlng something new for me. Could it be a decorative/ceremonial/tourist version?

16th April 2022, 08:13 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Got it. So it is an old ceremonial sword and not an “old warrior”. Now I understand. Thanks for the information.