2 Panabas and a Panaba-sauris for comment

drac2k · 23rd April 2016, 05:27 PM

Ceremonial, quite possibly, but fantasy items, I don't think so.I have had ceremonial and tourist panabas before and they are usually are quite thin, cut out of metal, rather than forged, and dull.These two are well balanced, a considerable about of metal was used (1/4" thick at the base),hand forged, very sharp, and as my favorite quote from TV goes............"they will cut!"In most cases, when a fantasy piece is made, you usually see only one or many;also, even though they are of a similar style the are distinctly different, so I would infer they were made by a different person.
***disclaimer; this is just my opinion, no more valid than anyone else's opinion which I have asked for and appreciate , so please do not get mad at me as I am not mad at you.

Sajen · 23rd April 2016, 09:46 PM

I also think that both show age (patina) and well forged blades. Ceremonial maybe yes but don't think that this are fantasy swords. But like said, I am far away to be an expert.

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 23rd April 2016, 11:18 PM

I could be completely wrong, but the two pieces with the decorative metalwork at the junction of blade and hilt remind me of pieces I have seen that were attributed to the peoples of the Northern Luzon Cordillera. I do not believe that these would have been made strictly for the tourist market if for no other reason than that their size alone would limit their sales to most tourist. This of course is JMHO. Hopefully some of our Filipino experts will see this and offer their opinions on these two very interesting items.

Best,
Robert

kino · 23rd April 2016, 11:32 PM

Fantasy, I believe not. Ceremonial, probable. Art form, definitely.

I have a Panabas with a similar blade profile but not as elaborate as drac2k's.
Mine is Moro and I would wager that drac2k's are as well.

drac2k · 24th April 2016, 12:23 AM

Now, that is a beautiful panabas !!!

DaveS · 24th April 2016, 02:46 AM

I had one that was exactly the same shape as an Egyptian bronze sickle sword. Never seen one that shape before, and it was smaller than the usuall panabas, but it had quite a bit of age to it also. unfortunately i sold it a couple of months back. If i see that guy again at a show i'm going to ask him if he would bring it back again so i can get some pictures. It was the strangest form of panabas that i've ever seen...........Dave

Battara · 24th April 2016, 07:30 PM

Back then Moros did have ceremonial weapons, functional, but ceremonial. If these fancy pieces are substantial in manufacture, then I would agree that they are probably not quickly made tourist pieces, but for ceremonys and ritual use.

23rd April 2016, 11:32 PM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	Fantasy, I believe not. Ceremonial, probable. Art form, definitely. I have a Panabas with a similar blade profile but not as elaborate as drac2k's. Mine is Moro and I would wager that drac2k's are as well. Attached Images

23rd April 2016, 05:27 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,270	Ceremonial, quite possibly, but fantasy items, I don't think so.I have had ceremonial and tourist panabas before and they are usually are quite thin, cut out of metal, rather than forged, and dull.These two are well balanced, a considerable about of metal was used (1/4" thick at the base),hand forged, very sharp, and as my favorite quote from TV goes............"they will cut!"In most cases, when a fantasy piece is made, you usually see only one or many;also, even though they are of a similar style the are distinctly different, so I would infer they were made by a different person. ***disclaimer; this is just my opinion, no more valid than anyone else's opinion which I have asked for and appreciate , so please do not get mad at me as I am not mad at you.

23rd April 2016, 09:46 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,274	I also think that both show age (patina) and well forged blades. Ceremonial maybe yes but don't think that this are fantasy swords. But like said, I am far away to be an expert. Regards, Detlef

23rd April 2016, 11:18 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I could be completely wrong, but the two pieces with the decorative metalwork at the junction of blade and hilt remind me of pieces I have seen that were attributed to the peoples of the Northern Luzon Cordillera. I do not believe that these would have been made strictly for the tourist market if for no other reason than that their size alone would limit their sales to most tourist. This of course is JMHO. Hopefully some of our Filipino experts will see this and offer their opinions on these two very interesting items. Best, Robert

24th April 2016, 12:23 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,270	Now, that is a beautiful panabas !!!

24th April 2016, 02:46 AM	#6
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	I had one that was exactly the same shape as an Egyptian bronze sickle sword. Never seen one that shape before, and it was smaller than the usuall panabas, but it had quite a bit of age to it also. unfortunately i sold it a couple of months back. If i see that guy again at a show i'm going to ask him if he would bring it back again so i can get some pictures. It was the strangest form of panabas that i've ever seen...........Dave

24th April 2016, 07:30 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Back then Moros did have ceremonial weapons, functional, but ceremonial. If these fancy pieces are substantial in manufacture, then I would agree that they are probably not quickly made tourist pieces, but for ceremonys and ritual use.