Help! Is this Philippine, Maori, Moro, Sundang, Barong

Sheepdoc · 17th January 2023, 04:54 AM

I bought this at a small estate auction from an Air Force veteran who obviously travelled through out the South Pacific and Asia judging from the other items. I know very little about blades as my expertise is in other areas such as firearms and accoutrements. This blade has some interesting carving and I am looking for any help in classifying it and trying to find a place of origin. It obviously has some repairs with copper wire and the leather wrap, but this looks like a decent craftsman made this originally. The incised carved sheath, the ornate handle and pommel, and the braided twine holding the two piece sheath together are out of the ordinary to me. I think the braided twine is possibly hair, but probably some sort of natural fiber. The circular designs on the pommel remind me of a Maori mask. Also if anyone can put a date on this-post WW II or before, or even 19th century. The blade is about 18.5 inches in length with a tapered blade and single cutting surface. There is a Roman numeral V on the hilt which is confusing. There appears to be tape residue on the handle.

chmorshuutz · 17th January 2023, 12:28 PM

That's a talibong, a sinuwak/bakutan profile. Probably Aklanon, from Aklan province, Philippines.

As far as I know, Maori don't have metal weapons, I could be wrong though.

xasterix · 17th January 2023, 03:07 PM

Nice find, that's indeed a talibong.

Sheepdoc · 17th January 2023, 04:06 PM

Thanks for that help. I can’t believe I couldn’t find that on my own. The terminology is quite alien to me though. Any idea of age? Made out of a jeep leaf spring post WW II for tourists or older? Any recommendations on how to restore the braided twine that is missing- a better restoration than the leather? Any idea what the braided twine is made out of?

kai · 17th January 2023, 05:06 PM

As to age, I'd guess at the WWII period or later:
No wear of the blade (plus grinding marks on the bevel); guard from wood which is not really tough enough functionally; the motifs on the hilt are a bit roughly carved and timber not well cured.

Regards,
Kai

Sheepdoc · 17th January 2023, 06:24 PM

Thanks for that. That all makes sense. Any idea as to what the the braided twine is made out of-hair versus plant material?

RobT · 17th January 2023, 11:51 PM

Hi All,

Dang! It's not a tenegre?

Sincerely,
RobT

kai · 18th January 2023, 12:14 AM

Pretty much the highland version of a tenegre, Rob.

Several cultures, languages, names...

Regards,
Kai

kahnjar1 · 18th January 2023, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmorshuutz

That's a talibong, a sinuwak/bakutan profile. Probably Aklanon, from Aklan province, Philippines.

As far as I know, Maori don't have metal weapons, I could be wrong though.

You are right....Maori weapons are either green stone, or other stone, also sometimes hardwood.

Sheepdoc · 18th January 2023, 10:37 PM

Thanks everyone. That was extremely helpful. It looks like a talibong so now I just need to find out where it was made (Aklan?,) when it was made (not laminated so probably after WW II,) possibly who made it, and was it for use or tourist trade? Any ideas?

xasterix · 19th January 2023, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Pretty much the highland version of a tenegre, Rob.

Several cultures, languages, names...

Regards,
Kai

Yup...there are actually several ethnolinguistic groups living in Panay and Negros islands...the Ilonggo (lowlanders) have their tenegre, while the other tribes (highlanders) have their talibongs.

17th January 2023, 04:54 AM	#1
Sheepdoc Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 4	Help! Is this Philippine, Maori, Moro, Sundang, Barong I bought this at a small estate auction from an Air Force veteran who obviously travelled through out the South Pacific and Asia judging from the other items. I know very little about blades as my expertise is in other areas such as firearms and accoutrements. This blade has some interesting carving and I am looking for any help in classifying it and trying to find a place of origin. It obviously has some repairs with copper wire and the leather wrap, but this looks like a decent craftsman made this originally. The incised carved sheath, the ornate handle and pommel, and the braided twine holding the two piece sheath together are out of the ordinary to me. I think the braided twine is possibly hair, but probably some sort of natural fiber. The circular designs on the pommel remind me of a Maori mask. Also if anyone can put a date on this-post WW II or before, or even 19th century. The blade is about 18.5 inches in length with a tapered blade and single cutting surface. There is a Roman numeral V on the hilt which is confusing. There appears to be tape residue on the handle. Attached Images

17th January 2023, 04:06 PM	#4
Sheepdoc Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 4	Vintage Thanks for that help. I can’t believe I couldn’t find that on my own. The terminology is quite alien to me though. Any idea of age? Made out of a jeep leaf spring post WW II for tourists or older? Any recommendations on how to restore the braided twine that is missing- a better restoration than the leather? Any idea what the braided twine is made out of?

17th January 2023, 11:51 PM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 486	Tenegre? Hi All, Dang! It's not a tenegre? Sincerely, RobT

17th January 2023, 12:28 PM	#2
chmorshuutz Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 54	That's a talibong, a sinuwak/bakutan profile. Probably Aklanon, from Aklan province, Philippines. As far as I know, Maori don't have metal weapons, I could be wrong though.

17th January 2023, 03:07 PM	#3
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 653	Nice find, that's indeed a talibong.

17th January 2023, 05:06 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	As to age, I'd guess at the WWII period or later: No wear of the blade (plus grinding marks on the bevel); guard from wood which is not really tough enough functionally; the motifs on the hilt are a bit roughly carved and timber not well cured. Regards, Kai

17th January 2023, 06:24 PM	#6
Sheepdoc Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 4	Thanks for that. That all makes sense. Any idea as to what the the braided twine is made out of-hair versus plant material?

18th January 2023, 12:14 AM	#8
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Pretty much the highland version of a tenegre, Rob. Several cultures, languages, names... Regards, Kai

18th January 2023, 10:37 PM	#10
Sheepdoc Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 4	Thanks everyone. That was extremely helpful. It looks like a talibong so now I just need to find out where it was made (Aklan?,) when it was made (not laminated so probably after WW II,) possibly who made it, and was it for use or tourist trade? Any ideas?