Bolo
Bolo
Filipino
Luzon, Philippines
Late 19th - Mid- 20th century (ca. 1898 - 1945)
Steel, Brass, Horn, Wood, Cotton
Blade: 19 1/4" (48.9cm)
Hilt & Blade: 26 1/2" (67.3cm)
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 31 1/4" (79.4cm)
Collection Date: 2026
Collection Number: 542
Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2026)
A large bolo sword of the Philippines with a massive extensively chiseled hilt. The single- edged steel blade gently curves outward, broadening near the mid- section before tapering to an acute point. Thick flat spine. Brass oval- shaped cross guard with an octagonal brass ferrule.
Carabao water buffalo horn hilt of large proportions, having a rounded pommel with the tang secured by a brass plate. The hilt is extensively carved on both sides with differing detailed scenic pictorial high reliefs in a narrative storyboard. One side presenting a rural village scene of bahay kubo, or traditional bamboo stilt huts, a canoe on the water, while a forest and mountains are present in the background. On the reverse, a bahay kubo surrounds towering stalks of bamboo or tropical trees.
The sheath is composed of two pieces of wood in different thicknesses. A thick interior plank with a carved belt loop, while the outside plank is thinner. Both are held together by a colorful munsala (fabric covering having talismanic meanings to support the warrior in battle), displaying traditional floral patterns in red and beige. There are remnants of dark reddish brown blotted stains near the top of the fabric, very reminiscent of dried blood. The sheath likely had bands at one point to secure both halves of wood together but are now missing. Some minor damage to the bottom of the sheath.
A large and interesting bolo sword with elaborate and detailed carved narratives on both sides of the hilt. Dating from between the Philippine Revolution period of 1896 - 1898 to World War II 1941 - 1945, while the dried blood supports the sword may have been a battlefield trophy.