Ivory Hilt Barong for Sharing

VANDOO · 18th January 2016, 07:27 PM

MY EXAMPLE IS A BARONG BUT IT HAS A MUCH LONGER THINNER BLADE THAN THE OTHERS PICTURED HERE. IT IS 27.25 IN LONG IN SCABBARD WITH A BLADE 18.75 IN. LONG BY 1 AND FIVE EIGHTS INCHES WIDE. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2006 IT DOES HAVE WEAR AND PATINA AND PERHAPS A WATERED STEEL BLADE BUT NOT OBVIOUSLY SO. THERE IS IVORY INSET FOR THE EYES AND ALONG THE BACK OF THE NAGA'S NECK. SILVER FERRULE WITH DESIGNS AND CARVED DESIGNS ON THE SCABBARD. IT WAS SAID TO BE MORO COMING FROM THE SULU AREA MINDANAO ISLAND. BANTI WOOD HANDLE AND OKIER CARVED DESIGN ON FERRULE AND SCABBARD. SORRY FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY, SHADOWS AND COLOR BEING OFF A BIT BUT ITS THE BEST I COULD DO.

CharlesS · 18th January 2016, 09:01 PM

Well, so much for my idea of a 'one of a kind' pommel, but certainly these must be among the rarest of Moro barong hilts. I wonder if anything similar can be found on a kriss??

All beautiful pieces, by the way!

Battara · 21st January 2016, 02:44 PM

I wouldn't say that the carvings are by non-Moro artisans. I have seen some great carving done by them as well as Chinese descent Moros.

This naga is very Moro.

Charles - not seen any of this type on a kris so far.

Ian · 22nd January 2016, 04:30 PM

Vandoo:

Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin.

A rare piece in my experience.

Ian.

Aslan Paladin · 16th December 2016, 04:34 PM

Better late than never. As promised here are photos of the ivory naga barong with the best of my Moro weapons collection. Enjoy.

Sajen · 17th December 2016, 10:56 PM

Very, very nice!

Ian · 18th December 2016, 03:56 AM

Lovely collection and the naga hilt is a rare find. Ian

18th January 2016, 07:27 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	MY EXAMPLE IS A BARONG BUT IT HAS A MUCH LONGER THINNER BLADE THAN THE OTHERS PICTURED HERE. IT IS 27.25 IN LONG IN SCABBARD WITH A BLADE 18.75 IN. LONG BY 1 AND FIVE EIGHTS INCHES WIDE. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2006 IT DOES HAVE WEAR AND PATINA AND PERHAPS A WATERED STEEL BLADE BUT NOT OBVIOUSLY SO. THERE IS IVORY INSET FOR THE EYES AND ALONG THE BACK OF THE NAGA'S NECK. SILVER FERRULE WITH DESIGNS AND CARVED DESIGNS ON THE SCABBARD. IT WAS SAID TO BE MORO COMING FROM THE SULU AREA MINDANAO ISLAND. BANTI WOOD HANDLE AND OKIER CARVED DESIGN ON FERRULE AND SCABBARD. SORRY FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY, SHADOWS AND COLOR BEING OFF A BIT BUT ITS THE BEST I COULD DO. Attached Images

16th December 2016, 04:34 PM	#5
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Better late than never. As promised here are photos of the ivory naga barong with the best of my Moro weapons collection. Enjoy. Attached Images

18th January 2016, 09:01 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Well, so much for my idea of a 'one of a kind' pommel, but certainly these must be among the rarest of Moro barong hilts. I wonder if anything similar can be found on a kriss?? All beautiful pieces, by the way!

21st January 2016, 02:44 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I wouldn't say that the carvings are by non-Moro artisans. I have seen some great carving done by them as well as Chinese descent Moros. This naga is very Moro. Charles - not seen any of this type on a kris so far.

22nd January 2016, 04:30 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,521	Vandoo: Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin. A rare piece in my experience. Ian.

17th December 2016, 10:56 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Very, very nice!

18th December 2016, 03:56 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,521	Lovely collection and the naga hilt is a rare find. Ian