Archaic Moro barung

[Ian]

Here are two more 19th C barung that feature typical hilts from that period. They each have a very abbreviated form of "beak" and "crest" on the kakatua pommel. This often indicated a fighting weapon that would not easily snag on clothing, etc. The one on the right has a braided cord/jute series of wraps, and again this may have been a feature of a fighting weapon as the cord could absorb blood and prevent the hilt from becoming slippery. Both blades are laminated.

I believe these barung are typical of early- to mid-19th C weapons, although they could date from the 18th C.

There is at least one earlier, and even more minimalist, form of the kakatua hilt that comprises simple small points for the "beak and "tail" of the pommel, but in other respects resembles the junggayang hilt shown above in the original post of this thread. I have an example of this style in my archives and will post pics shortly.

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[Ian]

Here are pictures of an earlier non-junggayang form. The "crest" is barely apparent and the beak is a simple "point." Compare the width of the proximal part of the hilt where the palm of the hand would sit. In this case and in the original post, that area is unusually wide compared with later hilts. In part, this has to do with the manner in which the beak is carved on later hilts, with the hook of the "beak" being longer and going deeper into the pommel on later examples.The change on later hilts may have had something to do with martial art styles, because the longer hook enables the little finger to engage the hilt more securely, facilitating a long-handle swing and thereby offering greater angular momentum for a blow. The slight change in pommel width for subsequent hilts might also have offered a different form of grip for the hand, but a Moro martial arts person may have some ideas on this.


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[Sajen]

Here you can see two similar barungs from my collection, the two on the right, both are also with shandigan blades. Sadly both pommels are not complete.

[Ian]

Sajen, thanks for showing those examples. Very nice early forms.

[Ian]

Another example of the early junggayang hilt, again with a shandigan blade. This one was exhibited in the History of Steel Exhibition in Macao. It is a personal favorite of mine.


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[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Sajen, thanks for showing those examples. Very nice early forms.

Thank you Ian! The one on the complete right is a monster with a length of 65,5 cm out of scabbard and has a very nice ferrule.

[Battara]

Detlef I like that silver chasing work on the punto!

[drac2k]

Sajen, thank you for sharing your beautiful barongs with us !

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

Detlef I like that silver chasing work on the pinto!

Hello Jose, it was an extra surprise since it wasn't visible on the pictures from the German auction house.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank you Ian! The one on the complete right is a monster with a length of 65,5 cm out of scabbard and has a very nice ferrule.

Comgratulations on such a great barung. That's unusually long for an early barung.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Comgratulations on such a great barung. That's unusually long for an early barung.

Thank you Ian! Funnily I've purchased it once by a German auction house as single bidder.

Regards,
Detlef