Ancient Luzon/Moro? axe with amulet-wheel

Indianajones · 8th June 2012, 12:24 PM

Hi guys, here a quite interesting and puzzling piece I'd like to share. One of the oldest Luzon (?) pieces I know; to my judgement a bit after 1800(?). To my opinion the blade and the grip are put together at one time as the blade is Igorot; Kalinga and the grip is South-Philippine (perhaps chinese/japanese?).

Interesting also is the amulet engraving on the blade -etched/engraved?- in a native filipino language. Once I have looked up the signs and they represent each a lettergroup -like 'ka' 'ma'- which together would make a word or line around the wheel. Though couldnt make anything of it as one need to know the language and couldnt translate all of the signs.

My questions; would this indeed be a put-together-piece? Is the grip moro/South Philippine?
Am also very curious if anyone has/knows any other of such amulet-language-wheels or similar? And who knows we might be able to translate this . . .??

Sajen · 8th June 2012, 01:43 PM

What a beautiful and extraordinary piece!

Envy, envy!!

Indianajones · 8th June 2012, 07:27 PM

Its not mine actually; was put off by the broken point, moro grip (?) and . . . most imp. the excedingly high price asked.

VANDOO · 8th June 2012, 08:21 PM

I HAVE SEEN AND HANDLED THIS AX A FEW YEARS BACK AT THE ETHINOGRAPHIC ART SHOW IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICO. ITS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE SEEN LIKE IT SO IS LIKELY THE SAME ONE. I THINK THERE IS A PICTURE OF IT IN THE SELLERS EXHIBIT IN AN OLD POST ABOUT THE SANTA FE SHOW. (IT APEARED TO ME TO BE FAIRLY CONSISTANT IN AGE SO IF IT WAS PUT TOGETHER IT WAS A LONG WHILE BACK JUST MY OPINION)
THE SELLER I MET AT THE SHOW IS VERY KNOWLEGABLE AND ONLY SELLS TOP QUALITY ITEMS. HE HAS SOME OF THE BEST MANDAUS I HAVE EVER SEEN. I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED TALKING TO HIM AND LOOKING AT HIS ITEMS BUT HE IS IN A PRICE RANGE WELL ABOVE MY PAY GRADE. IF I COULD JUST COME INTO SOME SERIOUS MONEY I WOULD LOOK HIM UP.

ITS NICE TO SEE SOME GOOD PICTURES OF IT AGAIN.

Indianajones · 8th June 2012, 09:48 PM

Hi Vandoo, yep you'r right. I actually also spotted this piece FROM the very corner of that pic posted on the "nr1 tribalartsite"

and contacted mr. 'S' about it. Although I have bought item(-s?) from him before this was a tad too high and didnt know the tip was broken.

Though still a very interesting piece and quite a mind puzzler (to me . .!?)
Perhaps the moro experts here can unfold the mystery on this object!

Battara · 10th June 2012, 10:49 PM

I agree with Vandoo, have seen this before. I wouldn't say Moro influence, since the okir is vastly different than most Moro okirs on the ferrule. Nice to see that some of the script is old pre-Spanish Filipino.

8th June 2012, 12:24 PM	#1
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Ancient Luzon/Moro? axe with amulet-wheel Hi guys, here a quite interesting and puzzling piece I'd like to share. One of the oldest Luzon (?) pieces I know; to my judgement a bit after 1800(?). To my opinion the blade and the grip are put together at one time as the blade is Igorot; Kalinga and the grip is South-Philippine (perhaps chinese/japanese?). Interesting also is the amulet engraving on the blade -etched/engraved?- in a native filipino language. Once I have looked up the signs and they represent each a lettergroup -like 'ka' 'ma'- which together would make a word or line around the wheel. Though couldnt make anything of it as one need to know the language and couldnt translate all of the signs. My questions; would this indeed be a put-together-piece? Is the grip moro/South Philippine? Am also very curious if anyone has/knows any other of such amulet-language-wheels or similar? And who knows we might be able to translate this . . .?? Attached Images

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8th June 2012, 01:43 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	What a beautiful and extraordinary piece! Envy, envy!!

8th June 2012, 07:27 PM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Its not mine actually; was put off by the broken point, moro grip (?) and . . . most imp. the excedingly high price asked.

8th June 2012, 08:21 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE SEEN AND HANDLED THIS AX A FEW YEARS BACK AT THE ETHINOGRAPHIC ART SHOW IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICO. ITS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE SEEN LIKE IT SO IS LIKELY THE SAME ONE. I THINK THERE IS A PICTURE OF IT IN THE SELLERS EXHIBIT IN AN OLD POST ABOUT THE SANTA FE SHOW. (IT APEARED TO ME TO BE FAIRLY CONSISTANT IN AGE SO IF IT WAS PUT TOGETHER IT WAS A LONG WHILE BACK JUST MY OPINION) THE SELLER I MET AT THE SHOW IS VERY KNOWLEGABLE AND ONLY SELLS TOP QUALITY ITEMS. HE HAS SOME OF THE BEST MANDAUS I HAVE EVER SEEN. I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED TALKING TO HIM AND LOOKING AT HIS ITEMS BUT HE IS IN A PRICE RANGE WELL ABOVE MY PAY GRADE. IF I COULD JUST COME INTO SOME SERIOUS MONEY I WOULD LOOK HIM UP. ITS NICE TO SEE SOME GOOD PICTURES OF IT AGAIN.

8th June 2012, 09:48 PM	#5
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi Vandoo, yep you'r right. I actually also spotted this piece FROM the very corner of that pic posted on the "nr1 tribalartsite" and contacted mr. 'S' about it. Although I have bought item(-s?) from him before this was a tad too high and didnt know the tip was broken. Though still a very interesting piece and quite a mind puzzler (to me . .!?) Perhaps the moro experts here can unfold the mystery on this object!

10th June 2012, 10:49 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	I agree with Vandoo, have seen this before. I wouldn't say Moro influence, since the okir is vastly different than most Moro okirs on the ferrule. Nice to see that some of the script is old pre-Spanish Filipino.