Interesting Barong

drac2k · 3rd September 2015, 12:00 AM

Here are some more pictures; the area that I think previously held the coins are approx. 5/8"

Battara · 3rd September 2015, 12:13 AM

The pommel form has a lumad look to me while the rest appears Sulu.

Interesting mix. Coins? I'm sure you can find some WWII or earlier Philippine silver coins........

Sajen · 3rd September 2015, 12:17 AM

Much better pictures and nice & interesting barong. Have had once a similar problem, look here:http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=kampilan
I have attached 20 centavo silver coins but can't tell you the diameter for the moment since the kampilan is in other hands for a blade polish and etch. You can do a little bit google search to find out the diameter from this coins. Otherwise you can use also silver disks in the adequate diameter. I would give back the handle his "eyes", it will win beauty by this.

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 3rd September 2015, 01:32 AM

Good replies ;it seems like all agree,that there were coins there at one time.I will try to find a couple of 20 centavo silver coins.

archaeologist · 8th September 2015, 10:16 PM

Nice barong. People seem to agree it had coins, but do you really want to "restore" it that way? Makes it look nicer, I agree, but coins are dated, so now you will have added iffy date information to the piece. Even if you were sure of the original date, and got coins that matched, and even knowing that coins on an artifact can be added at any time in its life.
I say this because one of my frustrations collecting such things is the total lack of history on most of them, which would tell us so much about their story. The most you usually get when you ask the seller is "I bought it from Mr. Y who had it for years" which obviously tells you nothing much you want to know.
I'm not trying to attack anyone here, but I wish everyone would keep better records of where and when and who from, and keep them WITH the artifact, and pass that (and researched info) on to the next owner.
Cheers,
John

drac2k · 10th September 2015, 12:57 AM

What you have stated has a lot of merit and I do understand your view, however since I am going to keep this piece, I will replace the missing coins ; I look at it as restoring a piece of art.If I do sell it, I'll advise the new owner of what I have done.

VANDOO · 10th September 2015, 04:25 AM

WHILE IT WOULD BE VERY DESIRABLE AND NICE TO HAVE THE HISTORY WITH THESE OBJECTS IN MOST CASES THAT SHIP HAS SAILED LONG AGO.

WHAT THIS BARONG TELLS US IS THE POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF THE BLADE AND THAT A LATER NON MORO HANDLE FOUND ITS WAY ONTO THE BLADE AT SOME POINT. IT IS LIKELY THE SILVER COINS WERE REMOVED AND LATER SPENT WHEN THE BARONG CHANGED HANDS.
ADDING COINS DOES INTERFERE WITH THE POSSIBLE UNKNOWN DATE AND WILL SUPPLY A DATE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE CORRECT, BUT IT WILL RESTORE THE ITEM AND IMPROVE ITS LOOKS. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE COLLECTOR TO MAKE HIS CHOICES AND HOPEFULLY TO PASS DOWN ANY CHANGES MADE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION HE MAY HAVE WHEN THE ITEMS MOVE ON. THOUGH WE HAVE LOST SO MUCH HISTORY ON MOST ITEMS WE HAVE EXCHANGED IT FOR THE UNKNOWN MYSTERY'S WE PONDER. WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Robert · 10th September 2015, 06:07 AM

Hello Barry, While I agree with most everything you just pointed I do not believe that adding coins will interfere with dating this piece in any way. We have no idea whether the coins would have been new ones or old ones when they were added to the hilt. Even if the original coins used were still present they really cannot be relied on as any indicator of age as this piece could have just as easily been made earlier or later than the coins themselves.

Best,
Robert

3rd September 2015, 12:00 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Here are some more pictures; the area that I think previously held the coins are approx. 5/8" Attached Images

8th September 2015, 10:16 PM	#5
archaeologist Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	Do you really want to add coins? Nice barong. People seem to agree it had coins, but do you really want to "restore" it that way? Makes it look nicer, I agree, but coins are dated, so now you will have added iffy date information to the piece. Even if you were sure of the original date, and got coins that matched, and even knowing that coins on an artifact can be added at any time in its life. I say this because one of my frustrations collecting such things is the total lack of history on most of them, which would tell us so much about their story. The most you usually get when you ask the seller is "I bought it from Mr. Y who had it for years" which obviously tells you nothing much you want to know. I'm not trying to attack anyone here, but I wish everyone would keep better records of where and when and who from, and keep them WITH the artifact, and pass that (and researched info) on to the next owner. Cheers, John

3rd September 2015, 12:13 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The pommel form has a lumad look to me while the rest appears Sulu. Interesting mix. Coins? I'm sure you can find some WWII or earlier Philippine silver coins........

3rd September 2015, 12:17 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,166	Much better pictures and nice & interesting barong. Have had once a similar problem, look here:http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=kampilan I have attached 20 centavo silver coins but can't tell you the diameter for the moment since the kampilan is in other hands for a blade polish and etch. You can do a little bit google search to find out the diameter from this coins. Otherwise you can use also silver disks in the adequate diameter. I would give back the handle his "eyes", it will win beauty by this. Regards, Detlef

3rd September 2015, 01:32 AM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Good replies ;it seems like all agree,that there were coins there at one time.I will try to find a couple of 20 centavo silver coins.

10th September 2015, 12:57 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	What you have stated has a lot of merit and I do understand your view, however since I am going to keep this piece, I will replace the missing coins ; I look at it as restoring a piece of art.If I do sell it, I'll advise the new owner of what I have done.

10th September 2015, 04:25 AM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WHILE IT WOULD BE VERY DESIRABLE AND NICE TO HAVE THE HISTORY WITH THESE OBJECTS IN MOST CASES THAT SHIP HAS SAILED LONG AGO. WHAT THIS BARONG TELLS US IS THE POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF THE BLADE AND THAT A LATER NON MORO HANDLE FOUND ITS WAY ONTO THE BLADE AT SOME POINT. IT IS LIKELY THE SILVER COINS WERE REMOVED AND LATER SPENT WHEN THE BARONG CHANGED HANDS. ADDING COINS DOES INTERFERE WITH THE POSSIBLE UNKNOWN DATE AND WILL SUPPLY A DATE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE CORRECT, BUT IT WILL RESTORE THE ITEM AND IMPROVE ITS LOOKS. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE COLLECTOR TO MAKE HIS CHOICES AND HOPEFULLY TO PASS DOWN ANY CHANGES MADE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION HE MAY HAVE WHEN THE ITEMS MOVE ON. THOUGH WE HAVE LOST SO MUCH HISTORY ON MOST ITEMS WE HAVE EXCHANGED IT FOR THE UNKNOWN MYSTERY'S WE PONDER. WELCOME TO THE FORUM

10th September 2015, 06:07 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Barry, While I agree with most everything you just pointed I do not believe that adding coins will interfere with dating this piece in any way. We have no idea whether the coins would have been new ones or old ones when they were added to the hilt. Even if the original coins used were still present they really cannot be relied on as any indicator of age as this piece could have just as easily been made earlier or later than the coins themselves. Best, Robert