Antique Monster-headed Visayan Philippine Sword

 A nice parang or bolo sword from the central Visayan islands of the Philippines. The hilt finely carved as a monsters head with wondeful detailing and expression, a disc handguard made from a single piece of horn. heavy steel blade, single-edged and with the typical chisel edge as found on several other ‘species’ of weapons such as the Dyak Parang Ihlang Mandau, and many Naga weapons. The upper forte part of the blade with a ricasso and some chiselling. The sheath with an upper part of sewn leather over a bamboo wood type body, retaining one lower band of turtle shell, the others missing. Nice honest early piece of good quality, 22 inches long overall, Second half 19th century. Central Philippines/Southern Asia. far east