Large Silver Inlay Gunong

Battara · 29th January 2015, 12:05 AM

Greetings folks!

I thought I'd share this new gunong I got. It is a lot larger than I thought with silver mounts and burled narra wood pommel. What is also surprising is that the middle of the scabbard is made of wood and black carabao horn inserts, held in place with copper pins.

Here is also the nice part: the silver inlay is complete and done in okir.

I would place this piece in the 1930s and perhaps Maguindanao.

Enjoy.

Battara · 29th January 2015, 12:06 AM

Here are 2 more pictures:

Robert · 29th January 2015, 03:24 AM

WOW

Saying that this is nice would be a complete understatement. The size is amazing with it being what looks to be 13 inches in overall length. I have seen these longer but never with this style of blade or this quality of workmanship. Can you tell me what the inlay on the blade is supposed to represent? A beautiful gunong that I am very happy to see you be able to add to your most wonderful collection. Congratulations.

Best,
Robert

Battara · 29th January 2015, 04:22 AM

Thank you Robert. When I got it, it was in somewhat rough shape.

What the inlay symbolizes? Not sure - perhaps a centipede?

Robert · 29th January 2015, 04:48 AM

Hello Jose, I thought that it might be a centipede at first as well, but then I thought that they might include legs on it if it were. Perhaps it is some kind of aquatic beastie???

Battara · 30th January 2015, 12:00 AM

I also thought of a crocodile, but usually the long tail is a major component.

Will have to do more research to see what other critters this could be.

Sajen · 30th January 2015, 07:24 PM

What a beautiful piece by your pictures and a little bit maintenance now, much better like by the ebay pictures. I was stupid that I don't have given a higher offer before. But it is in good hands now so my sadness is of little account.

Regards,
Detlef

Ferguson · 1st February 2015, 01:43 PM

Congratulations my friend. It's a lovely piece!
Steve

Battara · 1st February 2015, 07:28 PM

That says a lot coming from you. Thank you Tito Gunong!

kronckew · 2nd February 2015, 02:37 PM

i really like this style of gunong. yours is a very fine example.

mine is newish and considerably down market.

Battara · 5th February 2015, 11:52 PM

Thank you Kronckew. I usually look for something different, but the inlay caught my eye though.

Battara · 16th February 2015, 01:42 AM

Here are a couple of pictures of the Philippines giant centipede and the silver inlay on the blade of my gunong for comparison. I am now more convinced that the inlay is of a stylized Maranao okir centipede.

29th January 2015, 12:05 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Large Silver Inlay Gunong Greetings folks! I thought I'd share this new gunong I got. It is a lot larger than I thought with silver mounts and burled narra wood pommel. What is also surprising is that the middle of the scabbard is made of wood and black carabao horn inserts, held in place with copper pins. Here is also the nice part: the silver inlay is complete and done in okir. I would place this piece in the 1930s and perhaps Maguindanao. Enjoy. Attached Images

29th January 2015, 12:06 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Here are 2 more pictures: Attached Images

29th January 2015, 03:24 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	WOW Saying that this is nice would be a complete understatement. The size is amazing with it being what looks to be 13 inches in overall length. I have seen these longer but never with this style of blade or this quality of workmanship. Can you tell me what the inlay on the blade is supposed to represent? A beautiful gunong that I am very happy to see you be able to add to your most wonderful collection. Congratulations. Best, Robert Attached Images

2nd February 2015, 02:37 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	i really like this style of gunong. yours is a very fine example. mine is newish and considerably down market. Attached Images

16th February 2015, 01:42 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Here are a couple of pictures of the Philippines giant centipede and the silver inlay on the blade of my gunong for comparison. I am now more convinced that the inlay is of a stylized Maranao okir centipede. Attached Images

29th January 2015, 04:22 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Thank you Robert. When I got it, it was in somewhat rough shape. What the inlay symbolizes? Not sure - perhaps a centipede?

29th January 2015, 04:48 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, I thought that it might be a centipede at first as well, but then I thought that they might include legs on it if it were. Perhaps it is some kind of aquatic beastie???

30th January 2015, 12:00 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I also thought of a crocodile, but usually the long tail is a major component. Will have to do more research to see what other critters this could be.

30th January 2015, 07:24 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,483	What a beautiful piece by your pictures and a little bit maintenance now, much better like by the ebay pictures. I was stupid that I don't have given a higher offer before. But it is in good hands now so my sadness is of little account. Regards, Detlef

1st February 2015, 01:43 PM	#8
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Congratulations my friend. It's a lovely piece! Steve

1st February 2015, 07:28 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	That says a lot coming from you. Thank you Tito Gunong!

5th February 2015, 11:52 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Thank you Kronckew. I usually look for something different, but the inlay caught my eye though.