Twins of Sulu

Spunjer · 25th March 2022, 04:21 AM

the only expectation i had going to the antique show this past weekend was to find a decent Wakizashi, and spend quality times with the boys.

within the first hour these two pieces which i have only seen in pictures popped up: a solid silver pommeled barung and a silver junggayan kalis. they are about one of the most exquisite Moro pieces i have ever laid my eyes on. somehow i wanted to believe that these two were commissioned by the same man.

and they said lightning never strikes the same place twice...

drac2k · 25th March 2022, 02:32 PM

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!

kronckew · 25th March 2022, 03:16 PM

Cool Fraternal Twins.

kino · 25th March 2022, 03:42 PM

What a beautiful pair. I usually don't like polished silver pommels, but these two really look good polished. What's the dimensions of the Kris?
Thanks for sharing.

kai · 25th March 2022, 04:13 PM

Congrats, Ron!

Bob A · 25th March 2022, 06:53 PM

Great find, and very attractive silver work.

I can't say that I've seen silver pommels on these weapons before; I assume they're quite rare?

Battara · 25th March 2022, 07:23 PM

W

W! Congratulations!

One day when I grow up, maybe I can do the same.

Rick · 25th March 2022, 07:48 PM

Jose, do you think these were made using a centrifugal caster? Or would the silver stay molten enough to just pour the silver into the mold without leaving voids?

kai · 25th March 2022, 11:15 PM

Hello Rick,

Lost wax casting is not unknown in the region. However, I have not seen any genuine Moro hilts crafted by silver casting: too heavy and precious.

All antique silver pommels seem to have been made by good ol' silversmithing over a core of a resin/filler mix. The malleability of gold and silver really helps to fuse metal joints.

Regards,
Kai

kai · 25th March 2022, 11:19 PM

Hello Bob,

Quote:

I can't say that I've seen silver pommels on these weapons before; I assume they're quite rare?

You can find quite some examples posted in this forum.

They are neither terribly rare nor that common; ivory seems to have been the preferred material for high-end pommels.

Regards,
Kai

SanibelSwassa · 26th March 2022, 03:27 AM

Ron,

Congratulations on the incredible find!! These come to those they choose, and they choose well.

Enjoy

Spunjer · 26th March 2022, 04:18 AM

Kino:
blade is 22 1/4"; handle is typical 7"x3"

Kai:
if they had any other way, i'm not sure how the pommel on the barung was made. there's absolutely no seam. which made me think the dam thing is solid. the kris on the other hand, you can see where the seams are.

Bob A.
pleasure meeting you at the show!

drac2k:
as promised, here they are!

Sajen · 26th March 2022, 11:31 AM

Just beautiful! Congrats Ron!

Battara · 26th March 2022, 08:00 PM

To answer the question of casting silver, I have seen (and have) pommels like these made of cast silver, but then other detailed parts were probably soldered onto the main pommel. This is not too different from stacking silver overlay on Southwest bracelets.

Jazz · 29th March 2022, 02:57 AM

Wow, can't get better than that! Congrats!! Those are definitely grails!

CharlesS · 30th March 2022, 01:24 PM

So lucky to see when Ron bought these...the pics don't do them justice. They are gorgeeeeez!

25th March 2022, 04:21 AM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Twins of Sulu the only expectation i had going to the antique show this past weekend was to find a decent Wakizashi, and spend quality times with the boys. within the first hour these two pieces which i have only seen in pictures popped up: a solid silver pommeled barung and a silver junggayan kalis. they are about one of the most exquisite Moro pieces i have ever laid my eyes on. somehow i wanted to believe that these two were commissioned by the same man. and they said lightning never strikes the same place twice... Attached Images

25th March 2022, 07:23 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	WW! Congratulations! One day when I grow up, maybe I can do the same.

25th March 2022, 02:32 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!

25th March 2022, 03:16 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	Cool Fraternal Twins.

25th March 2022, 03:42 PM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	What a beautiful pair. I usually don't like polished silver pommels, but these two really look good polished. What's the dimensions of the Kris? Thanks for sharing.

25th March 2022, 04:13 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Congrats, Ron!

25th March 2022, 06:53 PM	#6
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 446	Great find, and very attractive silver work. I can't say that I've seen silver pommels on these weapons before; I assume they're quite rare?

25th March 2022, 07:48 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Jose, do you think these were made using a centrifugal caster? Or would the silver stay molten enough to just pour the silver into the mold without leaving voids?

25th March 2022, 11:15 PM	#9
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Rick, Lost wax casting is not unknown in the region. However, I have not seen any genuine Moro hilts crafted by silver casting: too heavy and precious. All antique silver pommels seem to have been made by good ol' silversmithing over a core of a resin/filler mix. The malleability of gold and silver really helps to fuse metal joints. Regards, Kai

26th March 2022, 03:27 AM	#11
SanibelSwassa Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 104	Ron, Congratulations on the incredible find!! These come to those they choose, and they choose well. Enjoy

26th March 2022, 04:18 AM	#12
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Kino: blade is 22 1/4"; handle is typical 7"x3" Kai: if they had any other way, i'm not sure how the pommel on the barung was made. there's absolutely no seam. which made me think the dam thing is solid. the kris on the other hand, you can see where the seams are. Bob A. pleasure meeting you at the show! drac2k: as promised, here they are!

26th March 2022, 11:31 AM	#13
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Just beautiful! Congrats Ron!

26th March 2022, 08:00 PM	#14
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	To answer the question of casting silver, I have seen (and have) pommels like these made of cast silver, but then other detailed parts were probably soldered onto the main pommel. This is not too different from stacking silver overlay on Southwest bracelets.

29th March 2022, 02:57 AM	#15
Jazz Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 44	Wow, can't get better than that! Congrats!! Those are definitely grails!

30th March 2022, 01:24 PM	#16
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	So lucky to see when Ron bought these...the pics don't do them justice. They are gorgeeeeez!