Kalinga axe

dennee · 11th March 2016, 10:44 PM

As I collect mostly Tibetan and Bhutanese items, I ask the advice of you Philippines experts from an aesthetic and conservation point of view: would you clean the brass on this 'Kalinga' axe?

VANDOO · 11th March 2016, 10:57 PM

I PROBABLY WOULD NOT AS IT IS PATINA, IT WOULD LOOK SHINY AND NEW WITH BRASS OR SILVER POLISHED BUT WOULD ALSO LOOK NEW OR POLISHED NOT OLD AND PATINATED. IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE DATU AX, CLOSEUPS OF THE BRASS WORK WOULD BE NICE.

Battara · 12th March 2016, 03:45 AM

Vandoo is right. This is a Kalinga head axe belonging to a datu, or at least a great Kalinga warrior.

I believe that the brass is pierced in the form of tattoos, although I need to confirm this.

It is up to you whether to clean or keep the patina on brass. Silver is meant to be cleaned and polished, but bronze is meant to keep the patina. Brass? - jury is still out on that one. It seems for now it depends on the individual.

At the very least clean off any dirt with soap and water.

Congratulations on a great piece, and as Vandoo said, please post close ups.

BTW - the bottom is made of white metal, a nickel/copper alloy.

dennee · 12th March 2016, 06:04 AM

I thank you, gentlemen. I am normally disinclined to clean too much, but as you can see, it has patina in spades---so much so that there is relatively little contrast with the wood. I shall take your advice, however.

Battara · 12th March 2016, 03:48 PM

If you you do a little light cleaning of the patina, there will still be some patina in the crevices.

dennee · 12th March 2016, 09:48 PM

A few close-ups of the metal work, as you requested.

VANDOO · 14th March 2016, 12:39 AM

A NICE EXAMPLE WITH ALL OF THE DECORATION FIRMLY ATTACHED , WHICH IS OFTEN NOT THE CASE WITH THESE.

ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL WHAT METAL HAS BEEN USED PERHAPS SOME SORT OF ALLOY. SOME ALLOYS DON'T POLISH UP PRETTY LIKE SILVER OR BRASS WHICH MAKES THE DECISION TO POLISH OR NOT EASIER. THANKS FOR THE CLOSE UPS, THEY ARE GOOD PICTURES TOO BETTER THAN I USUALLY CAN TAKE AT ANY RATE.

Battara · 14th March 2016, 08:15 PM

I can tell by the patina that it is probably brass. It would be safe to clean if you wanted as well as the white metal (not silver) terminal. that too would be safe to clean.

dennee · 16th March 2016, 12:23 AM

Thank you, gentlemen!

11th March 2016, 10:44 PM	#1
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Kalinga axe As I collect mostly Tibetan and Bhutanese items, I ask the advice of you Philippines experts from an aesthetic and conservation point of view: would you clean the brass on this 'Kalinga' axe? Attached Images

12th March 2016, 09:48 PM	#6
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	A few close-ups of the metal work, as you requested. Attached Images

11th March 2016, 10:57 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I PROBABLY WOULD NOT AS IT IS PATINA, IT WOULD LOOK SHINY AND NEW WITH BRASS OR SILVER POLISHED BUT WOULD ALSO LOOK NEW OR POLISHED NOT OLD AND PATINATED. IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE DATU AX, CLOSEUPS OF THE BRASS WORK WOULD BE NICE.

12th March 2016, 03:45 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Vandoo is right. This is a Kalinga head axe belonging to a datu, or at least a great Kalinga warrior. I believe that the brass is pierced in the form of tattoos, although I need to confirm this. It is up to you whether to clean or keep the patina on brass. Silver is meant to be cleaned and polished, but bronze is meant to keep the patina. Brass? - jury is still out on that one. It seems for now it depends on the individual. At the very least clean off any dirt with soap and water. Congratulations on a great piece, and as Vandoo said, please post close ups. BTW - the bottom is made of white metal, a nickel/copper alloy.

12th March 2016, 06:04 AM	#4
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	I thank you, gentlemen. I am normally disinclined to clean too much, but as you can see, it has patina in spades---so much so that there is relatively little contrast with the wood. I shall take your advice, however.

12th March 2016, 03:48 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	If you you do a little light cleaning of the patina, there will still be some patina in the crevices.

14th March 2016, 12:39 AM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A NICE EXAMPLE WITH ALL OF THE DECORATION FIRMLY ATTACHED , WHICH IS OFTEN NOT THE CASE WITH THESE. ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL WHAT METAL HAS BEEN USED PERHAPS SOME SORT OF ALLOY. SOME ALLOYS DON'T POLISH UP PRETTY LIKE SILVER OR BRASS WHICH MAKES THE DECISION TO POLISH OR NOT EASIER. THANKS FOR THE CLOSE UPS, THEY ARE GOOD PICTURES TOO BETTER THAN I USUALLY CAN TAKE AT ANY RATE.

14th March 2016, 08:15 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I can tell by the patina that it is probably brass. It would be safe to clean if you wanted as well as the white metal (not silver) terminal. that too would be safe to clean.

16th March 2016, 12:23 AM	#9
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Thank you, gentlemen!