Spanish-American War Period Barong & Kris for Comment

[Nonoy Tan]

It brings up a valid and sometimes contentious point of discussion - who owns ethnographic antiques? James Cuno has written a good book on the subject, entitled Who Owns Antiquity? I have a copy sitting on my coffee table, and it is in the on-deck circle once I finish reading about Percy Fawcett's last sojourn into the Amazon Basin (a one-way trip as it so happened).

Dear LaEspadaAncha,

I agree with your thoughts.

It is not a simple matter and it is difficult to make generalizations on this issue. We have to treat situations on a case-to-case basis.

IMHO, the final arbiter is the collector or owner, hinged on his/her own personal conviction and beliefs. That decision is also made on a case-to-case basis.

I am glad that you have that you have these specimens, and with them the opportunity to research and gather information about their provenance. You thus have the privilege of making an informed decision that I must respect.