Filipino blade - what do I have here?

[kai]

Here is a thread with another old piece with similar blade - different hilt though...
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=237387

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

P.S.: Note the maker's mark(?) at the base of the blade (right hand side)!

[carlos]

Beautiful blade! Do you know age aproximatelly? Thanks

[Battara]

I would put the blade as Tagalog, though some might argue that it is Ilokano.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Battara

I would put the blade as Tagalog, though some might argue that it is Ilokano.

The sheath will be the deciding factor =)

[Robert]

The sheath will be the deciding factor =)

The very few examples that I have seen (with this edge profile) that have still had what was said to be an original sheath the sheath on every example was made from very nicely tooled leather. I imagine that if Kai had been fortunate enough to have the original he would have already posted photos of it along with the bolo. Here is another example with the same edge profile and through tang, but that is about as far as any similarity between the two goes. Please excuse the paint on the hilt as these photos are from the auction and were taken before I had a chance to do any cleaning.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Originally Posted by xasterix

The sheath will be the deciding factor =)

Unfortunately, no scabbard extant...

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Thanks Carlos!

Beautiful blade!

I hope so...

Do you know age aproximatelly?

Certainly not my forte; however, going by the hilt's carving, materials, and craftsmanship, I'd estimate it around the turn of the 20th century, possibly even 19th c.

I believe there is a tendency to underestimate the age of Luzon blades with monosteel blades.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Bringing over the info kindly provided in the other thread:

Originally Posted by xasterix

Your blade profile is what is called "dahong buho" or "dinahong buho", common among several towns in the province of Laguna, Luzon. As for the hilt, that's a curious style, and echoes antique iterations of 'tabak' and 'dahong palay/dinahong palay'. I'm guessing yours was made in Laguna as well.

[Robert]

Because of the overall styling and degree of craftsmanship shown (not only in the hilts carving) I would agree with your dating this piece to the end of the 19th century to early 20th century. Also as I forgot to mention earlier, the copper pin you ask about is most likely for decorative purposes only and that originally each individual flower both near the ferrule and butt cap would have held one.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Robert,

Because of the overall styling and degree of craftsmanship shown (not only in the hilts carving) I would agree with your dating this piece to the end of the 19th century to early 20th century.

Thanks for chiming in! I've been slow to respond to the comments...

BTW, have you come across any similar "maker's mark" on Luzon blades?

Also as I forgot to mention earlier, the copper pin you ask about is most likely for decorative purposes only and that originally each individual flower both near the ferrule and butt cap would have held one.

Yup, I also forgot to mention this possibility - thanks for reminding me!

It certainly would look neat and be more in line with the horn hilts decorated with pins of silver/etc.; a copper pin may also be too soft to really secure a blade...

It just seemed odd to me that only these 2 pins survived though. Maybe I should get a x-ray done to put that idea to rest...

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello xasterix!

Hi Kai! Yes definitely related. Your blade profile is what is called "dahong buho" or "dinahong buho", common among several towns in the province of Laguna, Luzon.

Thanks a lot for your info!

As for the hilt, that's a curious style, and echoes antique iterations of 'tabak' and 'dahong palay/dinahong palay'. I'm guessing yours was made in Laguna as well.

It sure is a really nice carving work with the prominent flowers (possibly even enhanced by copper inlay)! Looks like old-style craftsmanship to me; most likely antique, isn't it?

Any other examples that resemble this style, anyone?

Regards,
Kai