My last adquisitions, kris and bolo

carlos · 20th December 2020, 01:21 PM

Hello
This pair of pieces are my 2 last adquisitions.
One is a kris and the other piece, os a bolo, with handle carved and ended in a fist.
I wish you enjoy pictures
Thanks in advance and more information is wellcome.

Ian · 20th December 2020, 09:04 PM

Hi carlos.

Two very nice pieces. The Luzon sword has a well carved horn hilt which shows some damage unfortunately. The style of carving and fist pommel suggest the Katipunan era, late 19th and very early 20th C. Half of the cross guard seems to be missing. The blade form is a bit unusual at the ricasso, and I have not seen a similar style previously. Perhaps some of our other Filipino collectors recognize it. This sword could be from Cavite—the blade is consistent with others I have seen provenanced to Cavite, but not unique to that province, while the carving is also consistent with Cavite—which was a hot bed of early Filipino resistance to Spanish rule.

The kris is Maguindanao and probably from a similar time period (late 19th C). A nice example of the heavier style of kris from that time. This style persisted well into the 20th C, but I think your sword is an older example. The twine grip is obviously a recent re-wrap, but it is consistent with what might have been used in the late 19th C.

Ian.

Battara · 21st December 2020, 12:38 AM

I agree with you totally on the kris.

The bolo blade does look Tagalog to me, so Cavite could make sense since the majority are Tagalog. Shane the cross guard is broken. I also lean towards Katipunan as well for this.

carlos · 22nd December 2020, 09:56 PM

Thank you very much
Yours information is very apreciatted.
Thanks again
Carlos

20th December 2020, 01:21 PM	#1
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 738	My last adquisitions, kris and bolo Hello This pair of pieces are my 2 last adquisitions. One is a kris and the other piece, os a bolo, with handle carved and ended in a fist. I wish you enjoy pictures Thanks in advance and more information is wellcome. Attached Images

20th December 2020, 09:04 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Hi carlos. Two very nice pieces. The Luzon sword has a well carved horn hilt which shows some damage unfortunately. The style of carving and fist pommel suggest the Katipunan era, late 19th and very early 20th C. Half of the cross guard seems to be missing. The blade form is a bit unusual at the ricasso, and I have not seen a similar style previously. Perhaps some of our other Filipino collectors recognize it. This sword could be from Cavite—the blade is consistent with others I have seen provenanced to Cavite, but not unique to that province, while the carving is also consistent with Cavite—which was a hot bed of early Filipino resistance to Spanish rule. The kris is Maguindanao and probably from a similar time period (late 19th C). A nice example of the heavier style of kris from that time. This style persisted well into the 20th C, but I think your sword is an older example. The twine grip is obviously a recent re-wrap, but it is consistent with what might have been used in the late 19th C. Ian.

21st December 2020, 12:38 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	I agree with you totally on the kris. The bolo blade does look Tagalog to me, so Cavite could make sense since the majority are Tagalog. Shane the cross guard is broken. I also lean towards Katipunan as well for this.

22nd December 2020, 09:56 PM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 738	Thank you very much Yours information is very apreciatted. Thanks again Carlos