Mindanao blade - ID assistance please

Marbel · 31st July 2015, 03:21 AM

Sorry, posted this in the swap forum first by mistake.

Hello,

Please assist me by taking a look at the attached photo and letting me know your thoughts. Sorry for the relative poor quality as it was emailed to me.

This blade was picked up in southern Mindanao in the early '70s. The owner remembers buying it from a T'boli. I see T'boli there, but Bagobo as well.

Your expertise is sought, welcomed and appreciated.

Best,
Marbel

Ian · 31st July 2015, 03:54 AM

Hello Marbel:

The knife you show is definitely T'boli based on the geometric shapes on the brass hilt and sheath. The presence of small hawk bells is also common for T'boli metalwork. There is a similar style of knife made by the Bagobo with a different hilt (usually of wood). The Bagobo knife is called sangngi, but I don't have the T'boli name for their knife.

These knives are often referred to as "women's knives" but they are also used by men as small, general purpose knives.

The brass work and hawk bells are nicely done on your knife. The decorated brass hilt and sheath are made using the lost wax method. If you want to read more about T'boli Art and lifestyle, I recommend the book T'boli Art in Its Socio-Cultural Context, by Gabriel S. Casal, published in 1978 by Ayala Museum, Makati, Metro Manila.

Ian.

Sajen · 31st July 2015, 09:46 AM

Hello Marbel,

agree with all what Ian has written. Very nice knife you have there, I have a very similar one, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=bagobo In this thread you can find also some informations.

Regards,
Detlef

Marbel · 31st July 2015, 05:12 PM

Gentlemen, thank you very much for the quick and informative replies!

31st July 2015, 03:21 AM	#1
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 66	Mindanao blade - ID assistance please Sorry, posted this in the swap forum first by mistake. Hello, Please assist me by taking a look at the attached photo and letting me know your thoughts. Sorry for the relative poor quality as it was emailed to me. This blade was picked up in southern Mindanao in the early '70s. The owner remembers buying it from a T'boli. I see T'boli there, but Bagobo as well. Your expertise is sought, welcomed and appreciated. Best, Marbel Attached Images

31st July 2015, 05:12 PM	#4
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 66	Thank you Gentlemen, thank you very much for the quick and informative replies!

31st July 2015, 03:54 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hello Marbel: The knife you show is definitely T'boli based on the geometric shapes on the brass hilt and sheath. The presence of small hawk bells is also common for T'boli metalwork. There is a similar style of knife made by the Bagobo with a different hilt (usually of wood). The Bagobo knife is called sangngi, but I don't have the T'boli name for their knife. These knives are often referred to as "women's knives" but they are also used by men as small, general purpose knives. The brass work and hawk bells are nicely done on your knife. The decorated brass hilt and sheath are made using the lost wax method. If you want to read more about T'boli Art and lifestyle, I recommend the book T'boli Art in Its Socio-Cultural Context, by Gabriel S. Casal, published in 1978 by Ayala Museum, Makati, Metro Manila. Ian.

31st July 2015, 09:46 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Marbel, agree with all what Ian has written. Very nice knife you have there, I have a very similar one, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=bagobo In this thread you can find also some informations. Regards, Detlef