Barung?

[tanaruz]

Hi, need some info and confirmation if this is a barung from Sulu. My father has doubts about this piece originating from Sulu. Note: the brass features (okir?) on the hilt area. And the brass and silver ring on the hilt area too.
We have noticed the design on the scabbard (throat area)- is this typical Moro? And the metal where supposedly a string/belt passes through to be fastened to one's waist.

Probable age?

Excited about this piece.

Thank u in advance,

Yves

[Sajen]

I think that it's a keping and not a barung. Interesting piece.

Regards,
Detlef

[JeffS]

I believe that is a very nice Maranao keping. You can search the forum for the term. Please post pictures after you clean it up.

[Ian]

I think Jeff and Sajen have identified this correctly as a Maranao keping. The style of kakatua pommel suggests early 20th C manufacture. It would certainly benefit from cleaning the blade and hilt. The scabbard shows some nice okir work.

[Ian]

Looking at the blade, I believe that its maximum width is closer to the hilt than the tip. If that is the case, then this might well be a Sulu barung blade that has been remounted in a Maranao style. The overall shape of the scabbard is also consistent with a Sulu barung scabbard but the looped belt keeper is a later add on. However, I think that the okir carving at the throat is probably Maranao.

In its present form and dress it is clearly a Maranao weapon. I would just add a qualifier that the blade could be Sulu.

[Battara]

The okir looks Maranao to me.