The ‘binangong’ is a lesser known type of sword from the Panay islands, West-Visayas, Philippines. It was meant for slashing and has its balance towards the midsection of the blade. The distinguishable blade shows a straight spine which ends in a rounded tip. The cutting edge starts right after the thickened forte which functions as a guard. The blade is flat on side A, but concave on side B, which gives a perfect slashing effect for a right handed warrior. The cutting edge tapers up towards approximately a centimeter towards the spine and widens near the tip. The blade is well forged and shows a fine laminated welding pattern and is perfectly balance for slashing downwards. The hilt is recognizable for the region and shows a demon carved in wood with large eyes and mouth.

The wooden hilt was attached to the blade with a strong resin and has a braided rattan band near the guard. The guard is asymmetrical and has the shape of a gourd, decorated with a toothed rim and small round protrusion. It fits well in its original wooden scabbard, consisting of two slabe held together by rattan and a leather throat piece. The scabbard shows an abstract depiction of a crocodile emerging from the watersurface.

Condition: Very good, the hilt shows some ware and so does the scabbard, an old crack caused by dehydration and some loss of rattan bands. Further excellent and very rare.

Dimensions:

Hilt length: 14cm

Blade length: 38.9cm

Blade spine thickness: 8mm

Scabbard length: 41.6cm

Total length: 66.3cm

Weight: 510gr.

Provenance: French private collection

Comparable examples:
– Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, Harvard acc. nr.06-20-70/66667