N. Borneo Barung ?

[Ian]

This one seems to have features usually associated with a N. Borneo barung of recent manufacture.

-- Narrow blade with fuller extending its full length and okir engravings

-- Handle with small punto (brass) and crudely carved kakatua

-- Scabbard with drilled-through hanger

Barung on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290038170788)

[Lew]

No offense but it looks like a tourist piece to me. I have this one in my collection that could possibly be from Borneo but who knows?


Lew

[Ian]

Lew:

No offense taken. I didn't bid on it.

These are still being made today. John provided some fine pictures on the old Forum in response to my posting pictures of several similar barung. Most of these newer pieces are probably for the tourist trade. They are well made if not strictly in the traditional style.

See here for the previous thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001304.html

Ian.

[Battara]

I have always thought of these as strange critters. :confused:
Never liked them much - they do not seem as battle worthy to me. :rolleyes: