A Philippines Spear...But Which Ethnic Group???

[Battara]

Could it be Moro but from one of the Moro colonies not in the Philippines, like on the Borneo coast for example?

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Could it be Moro but from one of the Moro colonies not in the Philippines, like on the Borneo coast for example?

I'm not sure we have seen examples from all Moro groups throughout the islands, especially hardly any well-provenanced pieces, indeed...

However, what feature of this spear does suggest any kind of Moro origin in your eyes?

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Battara

Could it be Moro but from one of the Moro colonies not in the Philippines, like on the Borneo coast for example?

Perhaps Jose is on to something. We seldom talk about the Brunei Sultanate or other Muslim groups in Borneo. To my eye the blade could indeed be of Moro/Islamic origin. Its quality seems high from Charles' description, and the brass ferrule has been well made and decorated. [Is that horn between the ferrule and blade of the spear?] This spear has a tang, rather than a socket, for fixation and that is consistent with Moro work.

The decoration on the ferrule seems the most likely way of identifying this one. It does not resemble common Moro okir, at least work with which I am familiar, but it seems to conform to the "abstractness" required of Islamic art. Some of the vines and leaves areas remind me a little of Maranao work. Part of the decoration on the ferrule seems to be repoussed, and perhaps that rings a bell for Jose or other members.

The ferrule and decoration are unlike Lumad work that I have seen, but I don't think we can exclude a high end Bagobo or T'boli piece. Both groups use brass on their weapons. The Murat of N. Borneo are also fine craftsmen, and they use brass on some of their their pakuyan hilts, so they may be another possibility. I don't recall seeing examples of Murat spears.

Charles, you have a real knack for finding beautiful and interesting ethnographic weapons! Look forward to hearing where this one actually comes from. Thanks for showing these pictures.

Ian.