Two Good Moro Shields

Gavin Nugent · 15th May 2013, 03:03 AM

Congrats Charles,

I was offered the bottom one about 12 months ago along with other items from the regions. Did you get the rest of the collection? If I recall there was some provenance with them too...I think I still have the CD I was mailed...somewhere.

Gavin

CharlesS · 15th May 2013, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

No provenance on the second shield that I am aware of.

I can't tell you all how thrilled I am to have found these.

Does anyone else find it curious that the decorated shields use very different styles of decoration than we see on Moro weapons. Shields tend to be decorated in simple tones that may highlight the middle or the outer rim...OR...with carved "sunburst" style motifs.

I would think that okir-style floral art would be more common. The edges on the black shield may come the closest to mimicking that style, but even then only somewhat.

Maurice · 15th May 2013, 12:13 PM

I've had a quick look in my computerdatabase and found a very similar as yours!
Unfortunately I don't know where I found it.
But I copied it from somewhere of the internet in the past....

CharlesS · 15th May 2013, 02:14 PM

That one is identical, though in much better condition...I wonder if it was the same maker??!! The light contrast of the designs to the black is all carving and no additional coloring.

kino · 15th May 2013, 03:51 PM

Double congrats on 2 great shields.
I'm guessing that, less than likely your arm or your hand would be able to slip thru the holes.

Spunjer · 15th May 2013, 05:02 PM

Yikes! and he scores!!! two rare pieces you got there, my friend. in regards to the colloquial terms, yes, Taming is right (in Tausug, but i'm not sure if it's the same in Maguindanao and Maranao tongue
regarding the notch in the center:
here's an example with a glass bottle bottom (provenanced 1899 and before). congrats, bro!

Maurice · 15th May 2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Y
regarding the notch in the center:
here's an example with a glass bottle bottom (provenanced 1899 and before).

Wow that's also a beauty Ron. Is it yours?

I've also a picture of a moro shield which was offered to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam in 2011. I don't know if it's in their collection now though.
It seems to have a metal centre ring.

15th May 2013, 12:13 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	I've had a quick look in my computerdatabase and found a very similar as yours! Unfortunately I don't know where I found it. But I copied it from somewhere of the internet in the past.... Attached Images

15th May 2013, 05:02 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Yikes! and he scores!!! two rare pieces you got there, my friend. in regards to the colloquial terms, yes, Taming is right (in Tausug, but i'm not sure if it's the same in Maguindanao and Maranao tongue regarding the notch in the center: here's an example with a glass bottle bottom (provenanced 1899 and before). congrats, bro! Attached Images

15th May 2013, 03:03 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Congrats Charles, I was offered the bottom one about 12 months ago along with other items from the regions. Did you get the rest of the collection? If I recall there was some provenance with them too...I think I still have the CD I was mailed...somewhere. Gavin

15th May 2013, 11:52 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for the feedback guys. No provenance on the second shield that I am aware of. I can't tell you all how thrilled I am to have found these. Does anyone else find it curious that the decorated shields use very different styles of decoration than we see on Moro weapons. Shields tend to be decorated in simple tones that may highlight the middle or the outer rim...OR...with carved "sunburst" style motifs. I would think that okir-style floral art would be more common. The edges on the black shield may come the closest to mimicking that style, but even then only somewhat.

15th May 2013, 02:14 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	That one is identical, though in much better condition...I wonder if it was the same maker??!! The light contrast of the designs to the black is all carving and no additional coloring.

15th May 2013, 03:51 PM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Double congrats on 2 great shields. I'm guessing that, less than likely your arm or your hand would be able to slip thru the holes.