Rare Brass Pinangpanga Linglingo Pendant, Bontoc People, Northern Luzon, Philippines, 19th-20th century

Unusual Brass Kawitor Linglingo Pendant

This linglingo pendant from the Ifugao people of northern Luzon island in the Philippines is of cast brass using the lost wax method. It has the unusual form being of open, oval form that is probably based on an abstract representation of the female reproductive organs, but with two small human-like feet emerging from either side.

A brass

linglingo pendant of this unusual form but of cruder manufacture is illustrated in Rodgers (1995, p. 307).Linglingo is the generic Cordillera term for pendants and possibly earrings that have a basic closed ‘C’ form which appear to be based on the female reproductive organs (Afable et al, 2013, p. 292). The form is probably archaic and so such a reference might have been lost, with the form becoming more abstract. However, it is likely that such ornaments continued to have fertility or at least talismanic associations.

The evocative abstract form of the

linglingo makes them small items of personal sculpture. The Musee du Quai Branly in Paris chose to have a linglingo as its cover illustration for the catalogue that accompanied its landmark exhibition on the Philippines in 2013.

The example here has wonderful wear and patina from use. It has clear age.

Afable, P., et al, Philippines: an Archipelago of Exchange, ACTES SUD/ Musee du Quai Branly, 2013.

Moltzau Anderson, E.,

In the Shape of Tradition: Indigenous Art of the Northern Philippines, C. Zwartenkot Art Books, 2010.

Richter, A.,

The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames & Hudson, 2000.

Rodgers, S.,

Power and Gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, The Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva, 3rd ed. 1995.

UK art market; private collection.