[Aslan Paladin]

I was really awe-strucked at first to see this barong being offered in an auction here as I realised this hilt style is rare, done in a quite identifiable dragon's head, and I haven't seen another one in ivory. Ashokaarts sold a monster head ivory hilted barong before but it was more stylised than this one. I know that Kino and Artzi have similar ones, both wooden hilt. The seller labeled it as a Dyak head hunter's head knife.

I was also puzzled why there were cord wrappings on an apparent status sword. I would have to wait for a week at least for the sword to be sent to me by the seller, so I wouldn't be able to inspect it before my eyes till then. However, based on what I can see, I am of the opinion it was done a long time ago. Aesthetically it does seem to distract from the elegant beauty of the hilt. I was thinking at one point to remove it once I get the sword but has decided against it as I wouldn't want to tamper with the sword's history.

Thanks for the comments gentlemen.