Katipunan Matulis Short Sword?

Battara · 22nd September 2013, 02:01 AM

Greetings folks,

Here is a matulis tabak that I think is katipunan. However, I am not 100% sure. It is Tagalog in blade form (matulis) and the tang goes all the way through the horn hilt.

What puzzles me is the carving. Is this a Spaniard??

Around 2001 on this forum, Zelbone once said this:

"Actually the head of a dead Spaniard was a very popular motif for pommels of katipunan bolos or swords. The defiant fist or hand pommel was also symbolic of the katipunan effort. The best variety though is the fist grasping the head of a dead Spaniard (you know the head is of a Spaniard because of the heavy moustache that was popular during that time and most Filipinos didn't wear moustaches in that fashion.)" (my bolding of text)

The mustache is huge and the sideburns large. Very European/Spanish. But who is he? What does this carving indicate?

Please help me (some say I need lots of help

)?

VANDOO · 22nd September 2013, 04:04 AM

A INTERESTING AND WELL CARVED PIECE. THE CLOTHING WOULD ALSO LEAD ME TO SUSPECT HE WAS SPANISH AND OF SOME IMPORTANCE. DUE TO THE DETAIL IN THE CLOTHES ONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PIN DOWN THE TIME FRAME BETTER. I AM NOT A FASHONISTA BUT PERHAPS A SEARCH OF FASHIONS IN SPAIN DURING THE PERIOD WOULD GIVE YOU A CLOSE MATCH. THE WORD YOU USE MATULUS IS OF ROMAN ORIGIN SO WOULD LIKELY POINT TO SPAIN AS WELL. GOOD LUCK

Battara · 22nd September 2013, 06:44 AM

Actually Barry, Matulis means "pointed" in Tagalog. In defiance of Spanish law that forbid Filipinos to have points on their bolos (too dangerous to Spanish), Tagalogs had points on their bolos, like this one.

However, good idea regarding looking up fashion trends of the time period. Nothing so far that totally fits this carved image (yet?)......

carlos · 22nd September 2013, 11:29 AM

Congratulations with this new adquisition, is the first time I see one carved hilt like this. Thanks
best regards

carlos

Robert · 23rd September 2013, 06:52 AM

Hello Jose, Another great addition to your collection. I'm in total agreement with your initial assessment of this piece as to age and origin. Looking at the carving though the person depicted on the hilt looks more to me of being of Asian origin, possible Japanese or Chinese? Congratulation on such a great find.

Best,
Robert

P.S.
You know where to send it when you grow tired of looking at it.

Sajen · 23rd September 2013, 08:13 AM

Hello Jose,

very nice matulis! I am in agreement with you, the hilt person look spanish, so you have also the time frame when it was made IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

22nd September 2013, 02:01 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Katipunan Matulis Short Sword? Greetings folks, Here is a matulis tabak that I think is katipunan. However, I am not 100% sure. It is Tagalog in blade form (matulis) and the tang goes all the way through the horn hilt. What puzzles me is the carving. Is this a Spaniard?? Around 2001 on this forum, Zelbone once said this: "Actually the head of a dead Spaniard was a very popular motif for pommels of katipunan bolos or swords. The defiant fist or hand pommel was also symbolic of the katipunan effort. The best variety though is the fist grasping the head of a dead Spaniard (you know the head is of a Spaniard because of the heavy moustache that was popular during that time and most Filipinos didn't wear moustaches in that fashion.)" (my bolding of text) The mustache is huge and the sideburns large. Very European/Spanish. But who is he? What does this carving indicate? Please help me (some say I need lots of help )? Attached Images

22nd September 2013, 04:04 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A INTERESTING AND WELL CARVED PIECE. THE CLOTHING WOULD ALSO LEAD ME TO SUSPECT HE WAS SPANISH AND OF SOME IMPORTANCE. DUE TO THE DETAIL IN THE CLOTHES ONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PIN DOWN THE TIME FRAME BETTER. I AM NOT A FASHONISTA BUT PERHAPS A SEARCH OF FASHIONS IN SPAIN DURING THE PERIOD WOULD GIVE YOU A CLOSE MATCH. THE WORD YOU USE MATULUS IS OF ROMAN ORIGIN SO WOULD LIKELY POINT TO SPAIN AS WELL. GOOD LUCK

22nd September 2013, 06:44 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Actually Barry, Matulis means "pointed" in Tagalog. In defiance of Spanish law that forbid Filipinos to have points on their bolos (too dangerous to Spanish), Tagalogs had points on their bolos, like this one. However, good idea regarding looking up fashion trends of the time period. Nothing so far that totally fits this carved image (yet?)......

22nd September 2013, 11:29 AM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Congratulations with this new adquisition, is the first time I see one carved hilt like this. Thanks best regards carlos

23rd September 2013, 06:52 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, Another great addition to your collection. I'm in total agreement with your initial assessment of this piece as to age and origin. Looking at the carving though the person depicted on the hilt looks more to me of being of Asian origin, possible Japanese or Chinese? Congratulation on such a great find. Best, Robert P.S. You know where to send it when you grow tired of looking at it.

23rd September 2013, 08:13 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Jose, very nice matulis! I am in agreement with you, the hilt person look spanish, so you have also the time frame when it was made IMHO. Regards, Detlef