PH815: Ifugao Bolo

A good quality complete Ifugao bolo with the traditional shell belt. The sword handle is wrapped with woven rattan bands that have a good patina from age and use. The shell belts were worn by high ranking warriors and high status Men. The belt is the old style with rattan attachments to the fabric belt. The large element is shell (4" in diameter) with the red front piece being porcelain, probably a found element from a small jar lid. The sword and the belt are quite old, but the wood scabbard is a later replacement as it does not have the same age and wear.    

The sword measures 21" overall with a 14" blade that is 3" wide at the tip and 3/8" thick at the back edge. Early 20th century, Luzon, The Philippines.