Featured Help to ID an Asian (?) Metal Footed Dragon (?) Bowl

Thank you AJ, once again you have schooled us!

 

I don't know where your wife is from in the Philippines, but parts of the Philippines were colonized by Majapahit. This is a map of their territory during the height of the empire:


And this is the situation when Spain and Portugal had entered the scene. Majapahit was already falling apart through succession disputes and external pressure. The red areas are the remnants of Majapahit, which include northern Luzon (Saludong), attained through marriage:

 

Is that a rain drum (tambour de pluie)?
AJ, I absolutely love all your answers with all that documentation, BRAVO for all your knowledge and generously sharing it with us

 

Little is known of the purpose, but they were found mainly in burial sites. And in a bronze workshop site on Madura, which is how they know many drums were produced there.

Pleasure, and thank you dear kyra.

 

My wife’s mother is from Ilocos (Laoag) and her Father from Mindanao (Zamboanga). I would like to visit Zamboanga because it is known as “the City of Flowers”, but there is also a lot of terrorist activity. As an American and former Soldier, I’m slightly nervous about visiting the area until it calms down a bit. Being kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf would make for a bad vacation! Laoag is where my wife grew up but she has been in the US for over 20 years, so I’m sure it looks nothing like when she left. I hate to admit it, but aside from wanting to eat all the different foods, and seeing where my wife is from, I REALLY want to do some treasure hunting while I’m there. Not just for local artifacts, but also reminants of the Japanese occupation during WWII. I like WWII stuff and my Father-in-law tells me some pretty crazy things about that time.

 

Very bad.
The Philippines have an interesting history, and I am sure you'll find WW II related stuff there. And your wife has ties with two former Majapahit areas, who knows what other things you will find.

 

I found an interesting reading about those bronze drums (but in French... google translate will help!):
https://www.vietnammonpaysnatal.fr/trong_dongson/

 

Thanks, kyra. I'll read it tomorrow. I'm closing shop for the night.
Interesting site, it probably has something on the coastal kingdom of Champa as well, where some of my ancestors came from. They fled to Java when Champa was conquered by the Vietnamese.

 

Hi JoshA. Welcome. I love al these little objects too. Never quite sure of their age, but something draws you to them, and they become wonderful little mementos to add to the ever increasing collection.
What amazing detail from AJ as usual. A complete wealth of information and incredible background. Thanks or sharing.

 

Thank you for your service, Josh!

 

Thanks! It was my pleasure. I got to work with some really incredible individuals!