MORO KRIS LOOKS LIKE IT COMES FROM BORNEO

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi All

I do now that the sulu did setle on the North part off Borneo

Actually at one time the Northern part of Borneo was part of the Sulu Sultanate. There are even barongs from Northern Borneo, a "Sulu" weapon.

I agree that the blade is Sulu, or at the very least Sulu influenced.

I am not aware of many Sulu or Moro rhino hilt weapons, but that does not mean that they never used it. May have been harder to get through trade.

[Dajak]

Hi Battara what type off barong they use in the North part of Borneo

Maybe this type off Barong


Ben

[VVV]

Hi Ben,

I think the traditional NW Borneo Barong is more often the old-fashioned and less flamboyant hilt version like these 3.

Michael

PS I also suspect that your Kris is West Malaysia - and a very good one!

[kai]

Hello Ben,

Originally Posted by Dajak

what type off barong they use in the North part of Borneo

Here are a few examples from the old forum:
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001304.html
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001630.html

Your Barong seems to be a younger example: Cato mentions this hilt type originated in the 20/30ies. Is that mother of pearl or ivory inlay on the scabbard?

(BTW, Ben, please check your email...)

Regards,
Kai

[Dajak]

Hi Kai this barong could be older than you think mother off pearl is inlay



Ben

[kai]

Hello Ben,

this barong could be older than you think

That's Cato's dating and his opinions have been questioned before...

Do you have reliable provenance/dating for your piece? Would be great to get additional data on these nice blades!

mother off pearl is inlay

That's also supposed to be correlated with younger pieces but allows even less sure dating AFAIK.

To me, the blade would be most important, anyway. And that can always be older than the fittings...

Regards,
Kai

[Dajak]

Here some pics about the blade

[kai]

Hello Ben,

Here some pics about the blade

A nicely laminated blade (that pattern is quite often seen in Barong)! Did you received it etched as it is? The slender form seems to crop out quite often in Sabah but has been found elsewhere, too. (Vice versa with the more deep bellied blades also showing up in Sabah, too, as shown by Ling Roth's example so shape doesn't seem of great help in determining the origin of a Barong.)

The hilt seems to be well worn with good quality banati/bunti wood used for the pommel. Any hints on the date when this piece got collected?

BTW, Ben, did you received my email/PM on the other blades?

Regards,
Kai