#1490 Panabas - Robert Cato's "Moro Swords."

CharlesS · 12th January 2019, 08:53 PM

This is a lovely, period, panabas.

The shield I am less convinced is Moro. Fifteen years ago I would have insisted it was Moro as a result of the hand and arm grips, but now I have seen far too many of the same type of shields from all over SE Asia, including Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia. Their construction is generally similar to what you see here but may alter in detail to some degree. Note the example in this old photo of Balinese warriors. The shield is virtually identical in construction, but with a central spike. Indeed, the one Bill has pictured has a central hole where perhaps a spike of that type may have been, or perhaps some other type of plug.

If there is specific provenance to identify the shield then we know it is Moro, if not, until I see period photos of Moros with such shields, or better references, I will be tempted to believe it is from elsewhere in SE Asia.

kai · 12th January 2019, 09:33 PM

Hello Charles,

Thanks for your comment!

Quote:

The shield I am less convinced is Moro. Fifteen years ago I would have insisted it was Moro as a result of the hand and arm grips, but now I have seen far too many of the same type of shields from all over SE Asia, including Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia. Their construction is generally similar to what you see here but may alter in detail to some degree.

You certainly have a point here - rattan shields are known from many cultures in SEA. It would be great to see details, especially from the backside to allow for some detailed analysis! Certainly a dedicated thread would be best as not to detract from the panabas.

Regards,
Kai

Bill M · 13th January 2019, 12:36 AM

Fred was certain it was Moro. He called it especially rare as rattan was more fragile than wood. My first thought was the handles were added later. The shield construction is first rate and the handles much more crude.

Starting new thread.

13th January 2019, 12:36 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Fred was certain it was Moro. He called it especially rare as rattan was more fragile than wood. My first thought was the handles were added later. The shield construction is first rate and the handles much more crude. Starting new thread. Last edited by Bill M; 13th January 2019 at 11:46 AM.

12th January 2019, 08:53 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	This is a lovely, period, panabas. The shield I am less convinced is Moro. Fifteen years ago I would have insisted it was Moro as a result of the hand and arm grips, but now I have seen far too many of the same type of shields from all over SE Asia, including Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia. Their construction is generally similar to what you see here but may alter in detail to some degree. Note the example in this old photo of Balinese warriors. The shield is virtually identical in construction, but with a central spike. Indeed, the one Bill has pictured has a central hole where perhaps a spike of that type may have been, or perhaps some other type of plug. If there is specific provenance to identify the shield then we know it is Moro, if not, until I see period photos of Moros with such shields, or better references, I will be tempted to believe it is from elsewhere in SE Asia. Attached Images