Early barong beauty

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, Sorry to hear you were not able add this very nice piece to your collection. Looking at the photos, the hilt looks like it would to be able to accommodate the hand of a grown man. I'm just thinking out loud now, but could it be that these small examples were made to be used as a companion piece to a full sized barong and used in the same manner as a dagger would be used in conjunction with a sword, a practice that might have been picked up from the Spanish?

Best,
Robert

A good question. I have been informed by the Filipino community that the "espada y data" method to which you are referring is a Spanish influence in Luzon and the Visayas, but not in the southern Philippines. Even they did have swords and daggers, they did not use this method of combat.

They barony may very well be a dress piece, since they had both ones for dress and ones for everyday wear.

[Robert]

Thank you for clarifying this Jose, I knew it was a common form in Luzon but did not know it was not used by the Moro as well. The idea of this being a dress piece would make a lot of sense as being smaller in size it would be much more comfortable to wear during a formal dinner or meeting where being seated for an extended period of time was normally required.

[Sajen]

Thank you as well Jose!

[kino]

I'm the current owner of the diminutive Barung. My suspicions of this being a child's Barung were confirmed when I wrapped my hand around the hilt and felt the circumference. It's nicely made with a patterned blade and dual colored metal ferrule and rings.
Photos of it post cleaning and with an adult sized Barung for size comparison.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kino

I'm the current owner of the diminutive Barung. My suspicions of this being a child's Barung were confirmed when I wrapped my hand around the hilt and felt the circumference. It's nicely made with a patterned blade and dual colored metal ferrule and rings.
Photos of it post cleaning and with an adult sized Barung for size comparison.

So you bid me out by this one! Congratulations! Happy to know that it is in good hands now! Very nice pattern on the blade! What are the metal from the upper rings? The ferrule seems to be silver but can't determine the ring material. Beautiful addition to your collection. When you one day will bore it; you know who you can inform!

Regards,
Detlef

[Battara]

Albert thank you fore posting this along side the adult sized barong. Now I see it as a child's barony..............

[kino]

Originally Posted by Sajen

What are the metal from the upper rings? The ferrule seems to be silver but can't determine the ring material. Beautiful addition to your collection. When you one day will bore it; you know who you can inform!

Regards,
Detlef

I'll keep you in mind Detlef.
The rings are more coppery color in the photos, they have a pinkish hue so I'm thinking that they are coin silver.

You're welcome Battara.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kino

I'll keep you in mind Detlef.
The rings are more coppery color in the photos, they have a pinkish hue so I'm thinking that they are coin silver.

Thank you Albert!

I wonder if there other child barong in collections of members because this is the first one I have seen so far. And I am correct that it has once belong to a datu son?

Regards,
Detlef