Barung --- Origin?

Maurice · 16th July 2008, 08:10 AM

Does this MOP inlay in the kakatua pommel tells something about the origin? I read in Cato's book (page 38) that shape likes (ivory or bone) were especially popular with the moros who inhabited the southern-most islands of the Sulu Archipelago.
Does this imply my barong is coming possibly from the same area?

Does those silver bandings and braided silver wire banding tells something about the area where it comes from? Or was this combination of braided bandings found all over the Sulu archipelago?

Best Regards,
Maurice

David · 16th July 2008, 02:33 PM

Maurice, can we see the blade?

Dajak · 16th July 2008, 02:38 PM

Mooie Barong Maurice

Ben

VVV · 16th July 2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Mooie Barong Maurice

Ben

I like it too!

Michael

Maurice · 16th July 2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Maurice, can we see the blade?

I attach 2 more pics of the blade. When I got it there was a very beautiful yellowish\brownish pattern on the blade. But when I wanted to clean the blade a bit from some dirt, it was gone within split seconds. HIT ME !!!!!!!!!!
But the strange thing is, I never overclean my pieces.
I rubbed a few times and it was gone already.
It was my first blade with pattern and I didn't know it was gone so quickly!

IT was like a slap in the face, but I'm sure it will not happen to me again the next time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Mooie Barong Maurice

Ben

Dank je Ben.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael

I like it too!

Michael

Thanks Michael.

Henk · 17th July 2008, 08:10 AM

Maurice,
Use vinegar to re-etch the blade.
Nice piece!!!

Dajak · 17th July 2008, 08:43 PM

Hi wacht ermee als je bij mij komt zal ik het laten zien hoe je zoiets doet .

Wait Maurice I can do it for you.

Ben

Maurice · 18th July 2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi wacht ermee als je bij mij komt zal ik het laten zien hoe je zoiets doet .

Wait Maurice I can do it for you.

Ben

Thanks for your offer Ben. After your divingvacation in Bali.

Maurice

Battara · 19th July 2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Does this MOP inlay in the kakatua pommel tells something about the origin? I read in Cato's book (page 38) that shape likes (ivory or bone) were especially popular with the moros who inhabited the southern-most islands of the Sulu Archipelago.
Does this imply my barong is coming possibly from the same area?

Does those silver bandings and braided silver wire banding tells something about the area where it comes from? Or was this combination of braided bandings found all over the Sulu archipelago?

Best Regards,
Maurice

HI Maurice,

Sorry to chime in so late. Yes this is from the Sulu region and it is a rare type according to Cato. IT probably belonged to a chieftain. Braided bands are all over the Sulu region, and seems to be missing a little bit of it. There was originally more of a top plume to the back and beak to the front. MOP usually indicates a later period, perhaps 1900 or later.

Maurice · 19th July 2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

HI Maurice,

Sorry to chime in so late. Yes this is from the Sulu region and it is a rare type according to Cato. IT probably belonged to a chieftain. Braided bands are all over the Sulu region, and seems to be missing a little bit of it. There was originally more of a top plume to the back and beak to the front. MOP usually indicates a later period, perhaps 1900 or later.

Hi Jose,

Thank you for replying.
You are very right about the plume and the beak. Those particular parts broke off there. But it must have been a small plume cause it looks like a true fighting barung.
So the MOP could be probably a latter addition to the pommel?

Maurice

Rick · 19th July 2008, 09:42 PM

This example shows fairly diminuitive beak and plume .

Battara · 20th July 2008, 12:58 AM

I would not place this necessarily as a fighting barong, though I do think the pommel could be a later addition. However, the back part is severly broken off and there may have been more originally to it than what we see......

Rick, nice example.....

Rick · 20th July 2008, 02:18 AM

I've always wanted to re-lime the carvings Jose .

Somehow it wouldn't be right I think .

I think the barung we are discussing had a larger beak and crest .

The way to possibly date that piece may lie in the details of the hilt .
Cato has some theories on dating barungs by hilt carving style in his book Moro Swords .

I've got a feeling this hilt may be 19thC. updated/refurbished in the 20th .

Maurice · 20th July 2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

This example shows fairly diminuitive beak and plume .

Thanks Rick for showing that picture. I like the silver braided wire on yours above the silver ferrule. And your tagub is in better shape.

Rick · 20th July 2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Thanks Rick for showing that picture. I like the silver braided wire on yours above the silver ferrule. And your tagub is in better shape.

Hi Maurice, that is not woven silver wire; it's cord (for good grip) that seems to have been coated with green lac of some sort .

kai · 20th July 2008, 10:08 AM

Hello Jose,

Quote:

Yes this is from the Sulu region

Can we narrow it down to one of the ethnic groups within the Sulu sultanate sphere of influence? Would the possibly early use of MOP point to a Samal origin?

Regards,
Kai

16th July 2008, 08:10 AM	#1
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Barung --- Origin? Does this MOP inlay in the kakatua pommel tells something about the origin? I read in Cato's book (page 38) that shape likes (ivory or bone) were especially popular with the moros who inhabited the southern-most islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Does this imply my barong is coming possibly from the same area? Does those silver bandings and braided silver wire banding tells something about the area where it comes from? Or was this combination of braided bandings found all over the Sulu archipelago? Best Regards, Maurice Attached Images Last edited by Maurice; 16th July 2008 at 09:03 AM.

19th July 2008, 09:42 PM	#11
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	This example shows fairly diminuitive beak and plume . Attached Images

16th July 2008, 02:33 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,027	Maurice, can we see the blade?

16th July 2008, 02:38 PM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Mooie Barong Maurice Ben

17th July 2008, 08:10 AM	#6
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Maurice, Use vinegar to re-etch the blade. Nice piece!!!

17th July 2008, 08:43 PM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi wacht ermee als je bij mij komt zal ik het laten zien hoe je zoiets doet . Wait Maurice I can do it for you. Ben

20th July 2008, 12:58 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I would not place this necessarily as a fighting barong, though I do think the pommel could be a later addition. However, the back part is severly broken off and there may have been more originally to it than what we see...... Rick, nice example.....

20th July 2008, 02:18 AM	#13
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	I've always wanted to re-lime the carvings Jose . Somehow it wouldn't be right I think . I think the barung we are discussing had a larger beak and crest . The way to possibly date that piece may lie in the details of the hilt . Cato has some theories on dating barungs by hilt carving style in his book Moro Swords . I've got a feeling this hilt may be 19thC. updated/refurbished in the 20th .