Punal, Gunong with and unusual blade

Battara · 26th March 2017, 11:39 PM

Ones like this nice one with it's blade size, pistol grip style, and embellishments (bling - which I like

), indicate to me that this piece may come from the mid to late 1920s. Obviously this once belonged to a datu (or at least datu class). Based on the okir on the silver mounts, this might be perhaps Maranao in origin.

drac2k · 27th March 2017, 03:58 AM

Thanks for the information.

F. de Luzon · 27th March 2017, 02:32 PM

Very nice gunong!

David · 27th March 2017, 03:53 PM

Larger gunongs tend to be the new post WWII blades, but i agree with José that this on is certainly pre-WWII and the 1920s seems a fair enough assessment. So for its age i'd say that the length of the blade is indeed unusual.
Also, as Rick noted, the hilt looks like tridacna, which from my experience tends to be rarer than ivory for such use. It's giant clam shell Drak, so they carve it whole. It is not ground up and reformed.
Nice score and a great addition to your collection!

drac2k · 27th March 2017, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the imput.I got lucky on this one as it wasn't even on the table, but the guy recognized me and said "you are the guy that likes that funny stuff, right?"); we went to his car and I ended up with it .

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

26th March 2017, 11:39 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Ones like this nice one with it's blade size, pistol grip style, and embellishments (bling - which I like ), indicate to me that this piece may come from the mid to late 1920s. Obviously this once belonged to a datu (or at least datu class). Based on the okir on the silver mounts, this might be perhaps Maranao in origin.

27th March 2017, 03:58 AM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks for the information.

27th March 2017, 02:32 PM	#3
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Very nice gunong!

27th March 2017, 03:53 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Larger gunongs tend to be the new post WWII blades, but i agree with José that this on is certainly pre-WWII and the 1920s seems a fair enough assessment. So for its age i'd say that the length of the blade is indeed unusual. Also, as Rick noted, the hilt looks like tridacna, which from my experience tends to be rarer than ivory for such use. It's giant clam shell Drak, so they carve it whole. It is not ground up and reformed. Nice score and a great addition to your collection!

27th March 2017, 06:18 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks for the imput.I got lucky on this one as it wasn't even on the table, but the guy recognized me and said "you are the guy that likes that funny stuff, right?"); we went to his car and I ended up with it .