Bagobo Shield

kronckew · 30th May 2014, 09:56 AM

i've seen a couple of photos with the flat end down, and some where the grip looks more central where it wouldn't matter. it's possible that the one you have has the grip at the physical balance point rather than the geometric. how does it feel in the hand either way round if you move with it? the narrow top section does seem to be an afterthought. is it thinner than the rest? that would affect balance.

i'm only familiar with symmetrical roman and viking shields where the hand grip is at the geometric and physical balance centre rather than ones like this which are vertically asymmetrical.

Oliver Pinchot · 30th May 2014, 04:25 PM

Jose,

You did a beautiful job restoring this rare shield, thanks for posting images of it. From the color I would guess it's mahogany? The period photos I've seen invariably show it with the rounded edge down, that is when being held by a Bagobo.

kino · 3rd June 2014, 05:40 PM

Do you have any before photos?
If you hadn't mentioned what you replaced, I would've guessed that it was all original by looking at the photos. Good job!

What type of material did you use to match the coloring, vegetable matter, dye, paint?

A seasoned collector once told me that, for the color white, the Moros used a mixture of crushed seashells and milk.

Battara · 3rd June 2014, 09:33 PM

Oliver, yes I used mahogany for the top to best match the shield wood.

Kino, I used a mixture of stains, paint, and sealant. Now as far as the missing mother-of-pearl, I used........mother-of-pearl, cutting and shaping it to make the missing shell pieces.

White from shell and milk?............interesting and thank you.

Here is a picture of the shield before restoration.

3rd June 2014, 09:33 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Oliver, yes I used mahogany for the top to best match the shield wood. Kino, I used a mixture of stains, paint, and sealant. Now as far as the missing mother-of-pearl, I used........mother-of-pearl, cutting and shaping it to make the missing shell pieces. White from shell and milk?............interesting and thank you. Here is a picture of the shield before restoration. Attached Images

30th May 2014, 09:56 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	i've seen a couple of photos with the flat end down, and some where the grip looks more central where it wouldn't matter. it's possible that the one you have has the grip at the physical balance point rather than the geometric. how does it feel in the hand either way round if you move with it? the narrow top section does seem to be an afterthought. is it thinner than the rest? that would affect balance. i'm only familiar with symmetrical roman and viking shields where the hand grip is at the geometric and physical balance centre rather than ones like this which are vertically asymmetrical.

30th May 2014, 04:25 PM	#2
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 470	Jose, You did a beautiful job restoring this rare shield, thanks for posting images of it. From the color I would guess it's mahogany? The period photos I've seen invariably show it with the rounded edge down, that is when being held by a Bagobo.

3rd June 2014, 05:40 PM	#3
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	Do you have any before photos? If you hadn't mentioned what you replaced, I would've guessed that it was all original by looking at the photos. Good job! What type of material did you use to match the coloring, vegetable matter, dye, paint? A seasoned collector once told me that, for the color white, the Moros used a mixture of crushed seashells and milk.