Ivory Hilt Barong from Borneo

[Aslan Paladin]

What a missed opportunity to own such a rare item then (sigh). Hopefully a forum member got it and would post pictures. Have you seen any similar barungs from Borneo before?

[Battara]

Yes I have seen pictures of them. Here are some threads addressing this issue:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=borneo+barong

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=borneo+barong

[Battara]

Also here is an old example of a Borneo barong from www.mytribalworld.com :

[Aslan Paladin]

I mean ceremonial type barungs made with ivory or even silver hilts from Borneo. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear about that. I guess the scabbard of the ivory barung does clearly show the characteristic Borneo style, albeit in an appropriately more ornate style befitting the high status of the sword. Is it safe to say as well that the silver fittings of the hilt consists of motifs (geometric pattern, cut-outs or openwork on the silver, and thick silver braid) that is characteristic of Borneo origin?

[Battara]

Ah..........I misunderstood.

I have to admit, I have not seen a datu class Borneo barong before.

So........perhaps the motifs on this barong may be typical of Borneo datu barongs, although of course one example does not make a pattern.

That being said, notice at the top of the pommel where the cut out silver is - that is closer to classic Moro floral motif.

[Aslan Paladin]

Yup, I see what you mean, the stylised vegetal Moro form which is in stark contrast with the more realistic depiction like that of Borneo, Sumatra or even Java. Hopefully more datu class barungs from Borneo will turn up in the future so that we can establish if there is indeed a defining characteristic to them aside from the scabbard style.

[CharlesS]

See revised post below.