Luzon bolo with carved horn handle

Sajen · 17th September 2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, If I were pressed to put a name to it I would call it an Itak and would put the age to late 1800's to very early 1900's. A great piece and I believe it will clean up very nicely. I too was watching this but had to make a choice on what item to bid on and the silver fitted knife I posted the other day won out.

Congratulations on this very beautiful addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,

thank you for confirming my thoughts about this one!

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st September 2014, 12:08 PM

Have received the Tagalog itak and I am very pleased with it, here some pictures how it look after some maintenance, the blade I've cleaned with steel wool, the brass get a little bit polish and the horn hilt I've oiled with linseed oil.

Ian · 21st September 2014, 01:36 PM

That one came up very nicely with some cleaning Detlef. Nice pick up on your part.

I would also say circa 1900 based on the style of carving on the horn and probably of Ilocano manufacture judging from the blade and the "little pinky notch" on the hilt.

Sajen · 21st September 2014, 01:55 PM

Thank you Ian,

so I have three concurrent opinions regarding the age. But Jose write me before that he think it's a from the Tagalog, so a little bit more in the South.
I personally have problems to distinguish between Ilocano and Tagalog characteristics. Maybe a very good issue for a thread!

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 21st September 2014, 02:18 PM

I would agree with Jose that the carving on the hilt looks like Central Luzon/Tagalog work. However, the blade and hilt style would fit well with features consistent with Ilocano manufacture.

Often hard to distinguish between Ilocano work of northern Luzon and that from central Luzon/Tagalog areas. From what I have read here there seems to be diverse opinions about what comprises Ilocano styles and materials. There are a few features that I feel reasonably comfortable with in attributing pieces to the Ilocano, but those are better left to a thread devoted to the topic and with some well documented/provenanced pieces. Even so, it will be hard to make strict distinctions because of the blurring of traditional styles in recent years.

Sajen · 21st September 2014, 02:32 PM

Thank you again Ian for the further remarks, maybe I will start a thread about this issue.

Regards,
Detlef

carlos · 21st September 2014, 02:40 PM

Very good adquisition, I love this carving hilt !! I was the second in the auction .

Im happy to see finally you was the winner.
If some day decided to sell it ...

thanks again and enjoy it !

Carlos

21st September 2014, 12:08 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Have received the Tagalog itak and I am very pleased with it, here some pictures how it look after some maintenance, the blade I've cleaned with steel wool, the brass get a little bit polish and the horn hilt I've oiled with linseed oil. Attached Images

21st September 2014, 01:36 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	That one came up very nicely with some cleaning Detlef. Nice pick up on your part. I would also say circa 1900 based on the style of carving on the horn and probably of Ilocano manufacture judging from the blade and the "little pinky notch" on the hilt.

21st September 2014, 01:55 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Thank you Ian, so I have three concurrent opinions regarding the age. But Jose write me before that he think it's a from the Tagalog, so a little bit more in the South. I personally have problems to distinguish between Ilocano and Tagalog characteristics. Maybe a very good issue for a thread! Regards, Detlef

21st September 2014, 02:18 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	I would agree with Jose that the carving on the hilt looks like Central Luzon/Tagalog work. However, the blade and hilt style would fit well with features consistent with Ilocano manufacture. Often hard to distinguish between Ilocano work of northern Luzon and that from central Luzon/Tagalog areas. From what I have read here there seems to be diverse opinions about what comprises Ilocano styles and materials. There are a few features that I feel reasonably comfortable with in attributing pieces to the Ilocano, but those are better left to a thread devoted to the topic and with some well documented/provenanced pieces. Even so, it will be hard to make strict distinctions because of the blurring of traditional styles in recent years.

21st September 2014, 02:32 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Thank you again Ian for the further remarks, maybe I will start a thread about this issue. Regards, Detlef

21st September 2014, 02:40 PM	#7
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 751	Very good adquisition, I love this carving hilt !! I was the second in the auction . Im happy to see finally you was the winner. If some day decided to sell it ... thanks again and enjoy it ! Carlos