Two Atayal knives from Taiwan/Formosa

[yuanzhumin]

Sure, that's what I understood.
May be it's the last sentence of my post that bothered you. It was a long post and taken in the dynamic of writing, I may have not chosen the good words. So let's forget this sentence!
Hope to see your next post.
Nicolas

[majacobson]

I have just joined this forum and have a couple of items to share.

A Tao (Yami) knife with magamoag ancestor figures and a lalaw with red scabbard.

I have very much enjoyed this thread. Thank you all.

[Ian]

majacobson,


Welcome to the Forum. Two very nice older examples of these knives. Thanks for sharing them here.

[majacobson]

Recently procured this knife even without knowing its complete story. From an estate of an anthropologist who was on Orchid Island in 1937 and attributed as Yami (Tao), but not similar to any knives that I have seen associated with that tribe.

One potential idea is that it is from Philippines but transported to Orchid Island. He was also in Japan, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

What do you all think: Yami? Atayal? Batanes/Igorot? Naga?

Any help appreciated.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by majacobson

Recently procured this knife even without knowing its complete story. From an estate of an anthropologist who was on Orchid Island in 1937 and attributed as Yami (Tao), but not similar to any knives that I have seen associated with that tribe.

One potential idea is that it is from Philippines but transported to Orchid Island. He was also in Japan, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

What do you all think: Yami? Atayal? Batanes/Igorot? Naga?

Any help appreciated.

I'm not particularly knowledgeable, but interesting to ponder. The rattan bands on the handle handle would be equally at home on a Igorot or Atayal. The conical scabbard design is distinctive, some of the Formosa designs, under Pingpu, per Preliminary Classification of Indigenous Taiwanese Knives, have a similar shape. The ferule/guard is interesting but difficult to make out, is it painted? How thick is the spine? Perhaps a higher resolution photo would help.

[majacobson]

Originally Posted by JeffS

I'm not particularly knowledgeable, but interesting to ponder. The rattan bands on the handle handle would be equally at home on a Igorot or Atayal. The conical scabbard design is distinctive, some of the Formosa designs, under Pingpu, per Preliminary Classification of Indigenous Taiwanese Knives, have a similar shape. The ferule/guard is interesting but difficult to make out, is it painted? How thick is the spine? Perhaps a higher resolution photo would help.

Thanks. Here are some addiitonal images. No paint. Guard, end of scabbard, opening of scabbard, spine (2 views)

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by majacobson

Thanks. Here are some addiitonal images. No paint. Guard, end of scabbard, opening of scabbard, spine (2 views)

Almost has a Montagnard feel to ferule and guard, perhaps also the pattern weave on scabbard. I wouldn't rule out mainland SE Asia from the broad geographic range it could originate from...