Barung Ivory Carved Hilt
 

Does anyone own this now? It is a Sulu barung craved ivory hilt on top of a Javanese blade. I am more interested in the hilt that would have been used by someone of status.

Pictures of the whole thing from the auction site:

What a fascinating item! Jose, have you considered that this might be from Brunei (including the hilt)? The pommel has suffered a few fractures to the crest and beak of the pommel, which seem to have been repaired fairly well. The carving strikes me as unusual for Tausug work, hence my suggestion of Brunei (or other Malayan areas of western Borneo).

Hello Jose,

Agree with Ian, a very nice ivory hilt but a very unusual carving for a Tausug hilt. The scabbard of the keris could be Malay but the blade doesn't strike me as Malay.

Regards,
Detlef

The carving is typical Southern Chinese in style, probably not earlier then 1920ties, possibly later. I guess, an older hilt did get embellished. Chinese communities were everywhere.

I've noticed that Chinese ivory carved hilts exhibit this type of fine carving detail.

Lost the bid on it. :(

The photos could be deceiving due to the poor quality, but i find it interesting that such a relatively high end carved ivory hilt is married to this pretty low level keris blade.

My thoughts too, which makes me think that this was married by a later owner or seller.

The style is Sulu, but the carving is more Chinese. I've seen work like this from Chinese living in the Philippines.