I'd Like to Learn More About This Visayan Sword

CharlesS · 16th July 2020, 04:54 PM

Here is what I assume to be a Visayan sword. It has a typical Visayan convex/flat blade and a lovely carved scabbard with a leather mouth cover in the Visayan style. The hilt, to my eye, is way "over the top" in its monster motif and I am not familiar with it.

I'd appreciate any input and info on it.

Dimensions:

Overall length: 28.25in.
Blade length: 20in.
Blade's widest point: 20in.

David · 16th July 2020, 08:18 PM

It reminds me quite a bit of this WWII era tengere i own that also has an unusual "monster" motif hilt and clip point like yours. Mine was obviously a commemorative piece marking the victory over the Japanese at the end of the war. The blade is a super serious laminated one though and razor sharp.

Overall length: 24.25 in.
Blade length: 19 in.
Blade's widest point: 2 in.
Blade's widest thickness: .25 in.

CharlesS · 16th July 2020, 10:04 PM

I certainly see the resemblance, David. Thanks for the pics.

Battara · 17th July 2020, 01:11 AM

I have seen a number of these in the past few years. Seems the hilts are more recent carvings.

David · 17th July 2020, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I have seen a number of these in the past few years. Seems the hilts are more recent carvings.

José, i'm pretty sure my example is all original and commemorates victory at the end of the second world war. So that's 75 years ago if that's what you mean by "more recent carvings".

Bangkaya · 17th July 2020, 06:30 PM

Greetings,
The OP's sword appears to be from the Kinaray-a speaking people of South/Southwest Panay Island. The scabbard is typical of Ilonggo swords of Iloilo with the leather covered throat and metal fastening bands. However, the blade itself is more Antikenyo with the slender bakutong clipped profile. The hilt is carved in the Bakunawa motif typically found in Sibalom, Antique. Overall, a nice, typical example from that region. The Antikenyos would call this a talibong, but the Ilonggos will maybe refer to this as a tenegre, because of the fighting nature of this sword.

As for David's sword, it appears to be from Panay in the same general region as the OP's, but further North/Northwest closer to Cabatuan, Iloilo. Scabbards there, again, are in the Ilonggo fashion with leather throats and metal fastening bands, however, more slender example, such as David's, will taper to a point or finial following the blade profile. Most typical tenegre or binangon (field bolo) scabbards from Iloilo the toe of the scabbard will be squared off. In Cabatuan and Mandurrio, the toes will taper if the blade is slender. The hilt on David's tenegre is again the Bakunawa motif typical of that region. There are several variations of the Bakunawa design in Panay depending on region. David's is typical from that region, similar motif but different design than the OP's. Again, a fine all original example from mid 20th C. I hope this helps!

Cheers!

Sajen · 18th July 2020, 08:57 AM

Hello Bangkaya,

Glad to see you posting again!

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 18th July 2020, 09:26 AM

Here one from my own collection with an unusual Bakunawa handle and from the same time frame as the both other shown examples.
Sorry for the picture quality, they are still from the auction.

Battara · 19th July 2020, 02:42 AM

David, yes I consider WWII more recent, though I guess I should be more precise.

Welcome back and mabuhay! Would you say that the pommel carvings are WWII or later?

16th July 2020, 04:54 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I'd Like to Learn More About This Visayan Sword Here is what I assume to be a Visayan sword. It has a typical Visayan convex/flat blade and a lovely carved scabbard with a leather mouth cover in the Visayan style. The hilt, to my eye, is way "over the top" in its monster motif and I am not familiar with it. I'd appreciate any input and info on it. Dimensions: Overall length: 28.25in. Blade length: 20in. Blade's widest point: 20in. Attached Images

16th July 2020, 08:18 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,126	It reminds me quite a bit of this WWII era tengere i own that also has an unusual "monster" motif hilt and clip point like yours. Mine was obviously a commemorative piece marking the victory over the Japanese at the end of the war. The blade is a super serious laminated one though and razor sharp. Overall length: 24.25 in. Blade length: 19 in. Blade's widest point: 2 in. Blade's widest thickness: .25 in. Attached Images Last edited by David; 19th October 2022 at 10:33 PM.

18th July 2020, 09:26 AM	#8
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Here one from my own collection with an unusual Bakunawa handle and from the same time frame as the both other shown examples. Sorry for the picture quality, they are still from the auction. Attached Images

16th July 2020, 10:04 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I certainly see the resemblance, David. Thanks for the pics.

17th July 2020, 01:11 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	I have seen a number of these in the past few years. Seems the hilts are more recent carvings.

17th July 2020, 06:30 PM	#6
Bangkaya Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	Greetings, The OP's sword appears to be from the Kinaray-a speaking people of South/Southwest Panay Island. The scabbard is typical of Ilonggo swords of Iloilo with the leather covered throat and metal fastening bands. However, the blade itself is more Antikenyo with the slender bakutong clipped profile. The hilt is carved in the Bakunawa motif typically found in Sibalom, Antique. Overall, a nice, typical example from that region. The Antikenyos would call this a talibong, but the Ilonggos will maybe refer to this as a tenegre, because of the fighting nature of this sword. As for David's sword, it appears to be from Panay in the same general region as the OP's, but further North/Northwest closer to Cabatuan, Iloilo. Scabbards there, again, are in the Ilonggo fashion with leather throats and metal fastening bands, however, more slender example, such as David's, will taper to a point or finial following the blade profile. Most typical tenegre or binangon (field bolo) scabbards from Iloilo the toe of the scabbard will be squared off. In Cabatuan and Mandurrio, the toes will taper if the blade is slender. The hilt on David's tenegre is again the Bakunawa motif typical of that region. There are several variations of the Bakunawa design in Panay depending on region. David's is typical from that region, similar motif but different design than the OP's. Again, a fine all original example from mid 20th C. I hope this helps! Cheers!

18th July 2020, 08:57 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Hello Bangkaya, Glad to see you posting again! Regards, Detlef

19th July 2020, 02:42 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	David, yes I consider WWII more recent, though I guess I should be more precise. Welcome back and mabuhay! Would you say that the pommel carvings are WWII or later?