Old Bonafacio Bolo

Battara · 26th May 2016, 04:40 AM

Greetings,

I thought I would share a somewhat recent acquisition. This is now called a Bonafacio bolo. I would place this from the late 19th century. The hilt is made of carved albino horn with silver nails, silver mounts, and a silver cross guard. This is also a Tagalog piece, with the tang going through the hilt with a silver "leafed" screw.

The blade is of a special design with a clipped tip and a half false edge on one side. Some lamination, but not enough to really etch. This type of blade was favored by Andreas Bonafacio, who started the Katipunan revolution in the late 19th century, and thus is now called the "Bonafacio style"

Finally the leather scabbard is in almost perfect shape, tooled, and with a silver bottom chape.

Enjoy.

Battara · 26th May 2016, 04:41 AM

Additional pics:

Shakethetrees · 26th May 2016, 05:53 AM

Battara, beautiful piece!

Sajen · 26th May 2016, 10:48 AM

Hello Jose,

what a great looking Bonafacio bolo. I am green with envy!

Great to have the leather scabbard in such a good condition.

Best regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 26th May 2016, 01:13 PM

That is a great looking blade...........thanks, now I've got to put another item on my "bucket list !"

VANDOO · 26th May 2016, 03:51 PM

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS FOR SHOWING THIS EXCELLENT EXAMPLE.

THE WORKMANSHIP IS NOT TOO FANCY AND LOOKS LIKE A KNIFE MADE FOR POSSIBLE USE NOT JUST FOR SHOW. THE WORK ON THE HORN GRIPS IS EXCEPTIONAL PERHAPS A CUSTOM KNIFE MADE TO ORDER OR THE MAKER WAS JUST SHOWING OFF HIS SKILL. THE HISTORY OF THE DESIGN IS ALSO INTERESTING DID THIS PHILIPPINE LEADER GIVE PRESENTATION ITEMS TO HIS GENERALS AND SUCH?

Battara · 26th May 2016, 04:21 PM

Thank you folks.

Barry, as far as I know, no. Andres Bonifacio (correct spelling) was executed by his rival in the movement, Aguinaldo, before Bonifacio could do give anything to his people, unfortunately...............

carlos · 26th May 2016, 09:25 PM

What a beautiful bolo !!! The hilt is fantastic!
A very good piece to your collection
Thanks for sharing
Carlos

Ian · 27th May 2016, 01:38 AM

Jose:

Another excellent Tagalog piece and a wonderful example of the Bonifacio style. These don't come along very often and this one is a really nice specimen with a well preserved leather sheath. Congrats on such a nice find.

Ian.

Robert · 27th May 2016, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Another excellent Tagalog piece and a wonderful example of the Bonifacio style. These don't come along very often and this one is a really nice specimen with a well preserved leather sheath. Congrats on such a nice find.

This pretty much says it all. Congratulations yet again on another beautiful and rare addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Battara · 1st June 2016, 01:16 AM

Thank you folks.

Although the scabbard is different, in many other respects it is similar to this dagger I got years ago.

Makes me wonder if this once belonged to a general or high ranking officer too.

Robert · 1st June 2016, 04:34 AM

I well remember this beautiful dagger Jose. Though there is no way that I know of to ever prove who it originally belonged to I would say that both of these pieces most likely belonged to high ranking officers (very likely a general) or at least high ranking officials of some kind. I imagine that it would have taken more money to purchase one of these pieces than most individuals of that time frame would have been able to afford. JMHO

Best,
Robert

Battara · 2nd June 2016, 01:23 AM

I agree Robert. In fact according to Dimasalang:

"From the markings it is obviously from Aguinaldos 1st Republic of the Philippines. A high ranking officer or generals dagger."

(found in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...epublic+dagger )

If this Bonifacio itak had a 1st Republic symbol on it, that would solidify the probability of the date and rank of the owner. What we do know for sure is that the owner was one of status and wealth.

Battara · 6th June 2016, 01:36 AM

Here are a couple of Filipino pictures of Bonifacio with this type of bolo/itak in his hand. I happen to have a copy of this stamp at home.

26th May 2016, 04:40 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Old Bonafacio Bolo Greetings, I thought I would share a somewhat recent acquisition. This is now called a Bonafacio bolo. I would place this from the late 19th century. The hilt is made of carved albino horn with silver nails, silver mounts, and a silver cross guard. This is also a Tagalog piece, with the tang going through the hilt with a silver "leafed" screw. The blade is of a special design with a clipped tip and a half false edge on one side. Some lamination, but not enough to really etch. This type of blade was favored by Andreas Bonafacio, who started the Katipunan revolution in the late 19th century, and thus is now called the "Bonafacio style" Finally the leather scabbard is in almost perfect shape, tooled, and with a silver bottom chape. Enjoy. Attached Images

26th May 2016, 04:41 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Additional pics: Attached Images

1st June 2016, 01:16 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Thank you folks. Although the scabbard is different, in many other respects it is similar to this dagger I got years ago. Makes me wonder if this once belonged to a general or high ranking officer too. Attached Images

6th June 2016, 01:36 AM	#14
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Here are a couple of Filipino pictures of Bonifacio with this type of bolo/itak in his hand. I happen to have a copy of this stamp at home. Attached Images

26th May 2016, 05:53 AM	#3
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Battara, beautiful piece!

26th May 2016, 10:48 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Hello Jose, what a great looking Bonafacio bolo. I am green with envy! Great to have the leather scabbard in such a good condition. Best regards, Detlef

26th May 2016, 01:13 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	That is a great looking blade...........thanks, now I've got to put another item on my "bucket list !"

26th May 2016, 03:51 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS FOR SHOWING THIS EXCELLENT EXAMPLE. THE WORKMANSHIP IS NOT TOO FANCY AND LOOKS LIKE A KNIFE MADE FOR POSSIBLE USE NOT JUST FOR SHOW. THE WORK ON THE HORN GRIPS IS EXCEPTIONAL PERHAPS A CUSTOM KNIFE MADE TO ORDER OR THE MAKER WAS JUST SHOWING OFF HIS SKILL. THE HISTORY OF THE DESIGN IS ALSO INTERESTING DID THIS PHILIPPINE LEADER GIVE PRESENTATION ITEMS TO HIS GENERALS AND SUCH?

26th May 2016, 04:21 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Thank you folks. Barry, as far as I know, no. Andres Bonifacio (correct spelling) was executed by his rival in the movement, Aguinaldo, before Bonifacio could do give anything to his people, unfortunately...............

26th May 2016, 09:25 PM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 738	What a beautiful bolo !!! The hilt is fantastic! A very good piece to your collection Thanks for sharing Carlos

27th May 2016, 01:38 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Jose: Another excellent Tagalog piece and a wonderful example of the Bonifacio style. These don't come along very often and this one is a really nice specimen with a well preserved leather sheath. Congrats on such a nice find. Ian.

1st June 2016, 04:34 AM	#12
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I well remember this beautiful dagger Jose. Though there is no way that I know of to ever prove who it originally belonged to I would say that both of these pieces most likely belonged to high ranking officers (very likely a general) or at least high ranking officials of some kind. I imagine that it would have taken more money to purchase one of these pieces than most individuals of that time frame would have been able to afford. JMHO Best, Robert

2nd June 2016, 01:23 AM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	I agree Robert. In fact according to Dimasalang: "From the markings it is obviously from Aguinaldos 1st Republic of the Philippines. A high ranking officer or generals dagger." (found in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...epublic+dagger ) If this Bonifacio itak had a 1st Republic symbol on it, that would solidify the probability of the date and rank of the owner. What we do know for sure is that the owner was one of status and wealth.