I'd Like to Learn More About This Interesting Kalinga Axe

Ian · 20th May 2016, 01:44 PM

Charles, very nice example you have shown. Definitely a status piece.

Marcus, it's good to see the authentic brass inlay style. There are some recently made versions that use metal staples to produce a similar pattern and these are just brutal to hold or try to use--bloodied palm and fingers from gripping the sharp metal inserts makes them purely display items!

Ian

Marcus · 21st May 2016, 01:39 AM

I just got in an old copy of the book by Samuel Kane. This is the front piece.

Spunjer · 21st May 2016, 02:30 AM

Yowza!
the tip on that is silver??? now i have to look at mine closely if it is as well, lol.

Robert · 23rd May 2016, 06:59 AM

Charles, after looking at this axe over and over it is starting to look very familiar to me. Did this by chance come to you from Lew's personal collection when it was sold?

Best,
Robert

CharlesS · 23rd May 2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Charles, after looking at this axe over and over it is starting to look very familiar to me. Did this by chance come to you from Lew's personal collection when it was sold?

Best,
Robert

No Robert. It was an Ebay purchase, but not from Lew's collection or Lee. Now was it originally owned by Lew?...I don't know.

Battara · 24th May 2016, 06:30 PM

Congratulations Charles!

This is indeed a Kalinga status and ceremonial piece. In the past I had been saying that this is a datu piece, but since then I have discovered that this type belongs to great warriors of note. The designs are based on body tattoos (that are earned through head hunting and deeds). Such a person might even be a leader or pangat, but decisions are made by a counsel of pangats, unlike the datu in the south.

The Bontoc, et al, also hold similar practices when it comes to this type of head axe.

A very prestigious piece.

Battara · 24th May 2016, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Yowza!
the tip on that is silver??? now i have to look at mine closely if it is as well, lol.

Ron, the bottom sleeve is usually not of silver but nickel silver. I have metal tested several of these over the years and this is what I have found - no silver so far.

Good question though.

t dennee · 24th May 2016, 08:40 PM

Hmmmm... maybe I WILL polish the brass on mine.

CharlesS · 25th May 2016, 12:18 AM

Thanks Battara! Great info!

Battara · 26th May 2016, 03:30 PM

You're welcome my friend.

And t dennee, silver, copper, and brass are ok to polish and clean, but not bronze (I do). So polish away!!!!!

And Marcus, I think yours is more for usage than ceremonial - looks a little stronger than the ceremonial ones. Again, however, those inlays are more from tattoo designs, basically tattoo-ing the piece in a different method than Charles' piece.

Battara · 6th June 2016, 12:41 AM

And here is my Kalinga/Tinguian example:

21st May 2016, 01:39 AM	#2
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Life or Death in Luzon I just got in an old copy of the book by Samuel Kane. This is the front piece. Attached Images

6th June 2016, 12:41 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	And here is my Kalinga/Tinguian example: Attached Images

20th May 2016, 01:44 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Charles, very nice example you have shown. Definitely a status piece. Marcus, it's good to see the authentic brass inlay style. There are some recently made versions that use metal staples to produce a similar pattern and these are just brutal to hold or try to use--bloodied palm and fingers from gripping the sharp metal inserts makes them purely display items! Ian

21st May 2016, 02:30 AM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Yowza! the tip on that is silver??? now i have to look at mine closely if it is as well, lol.

23rd May 2016, 06:59 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Charles, after looking at this axe over and over it is starting to look very familiar to me. Did this by chance come to you from Lew's personal collection when it was sold? Best, Robert

24th May 2016, 06:30 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Congratulations Charles! This is indeed a Kalinga status and ceremonial piece. In the past I had been saying that this is a datu piece, but since then I have discovered that this type belongs to great warriors of note. The designs are based on body tattoos (that are earned through head hunting and deeds). Such a person might even be a leader or pangat, but decisions are made by a counsel of pangats, unlike the datu in the south. The Bontoc, et al, also hold similar practices when it comes to this type of head axe. A very prestigious piece.

24th May 2016, 08:40 PM	#8
t dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1	Hmmmm... maybe I WILL polish the brass on mine.

25th May 2016, 12:18 AM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks Battara! Great info!

26th May 2016, 03:30 PM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	You're welcome my friend. And t dennee, silver, copper, and brass are ok to polish and clean, but not bronze (I do). So polish away!!!!! And Marcus, I think yours is more for usage than ceremonial - looks a little stronger than the ceremonial ones. Again, however, those inlays are more from tattoo designs, basically tattoo-ing the piece in a different method than Charles' piece.