Hatchet "ligua" or "liwa" ·  Philippines - Northern Luzon, Kalinga tribe · ID: 3043361

Description

wooden shaft wrapped with metal sheet, iron blade of typical shape, min. dam., small missing parts, slight traces of corrosion.
The “ligua” was worn inserted into the waistcloth. The cutting edge was sized and shaped specifically to sever a head. The long spike at the back was used to pick up the severed head and puncture the cranium, thereby letting the blood drain out. However the hatchet also serves as a tool for cutting and other purposes. For example, the spike can be planted in the ground when climbing a hill.

The object Hatchet “ligua” or “liwa” with the object ID 3043361 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 6.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Asian art.

Comparing literature

Moltzau-Anderson, Eric, In the shape of tradition, Leiden 2010, p. 346 ff.