Barung Ivory Carved Hilt

Battara · Yesterday, 01:26 AM

Does anyone own this now? It is a Sulu barung craved ivory hilt on top of a Javanese blade. I am more interested in the hilt that would have been used by someone of status.

Battara · Yesterday, 01:32 AM

Pictures of the whole thing from the auction site:

Ian · Yesterday, 11:57 AM

What a fascinating item! Jose, have you considered that this might be from Brunei (including the hilt)? The pommel has suffered a few fractures to the crest and beak of the pommel, which seem to have been repaired fairly well. The carving strikes me as unusual for Tausug work, hence my suggestion of Brunei (or other Malayan areas of western Borneo).

Sajen · Yesterday, 01:18 PM

Hello Jose,

Agree with Ian, a very nice ivory hilt but a very unusual carving for a Tausug hilt. The scabbard of the keris could be Malay but the blade doesn't strike me as Malay.

Regards,
Detlef

Gustav · Yesterday, 01:35 PM

The carving is typical Southern Chinese in style, probably not earlier then 1920ties, possibly later. I guess, an older hilt did get embellished. Chinese communities were everywhere.

Battara · Today, 04:30 AM

I've noticed that Chinese ivory carved hilts exhibit this type of fine carving detail.

Lost the bid on it.

Yesterday, 01:26 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,361	Barung Ivory Carved Hilt Does anyone own this now? It is a Sulu barung craved ivory hilt on top of a Javanese blade. I am more interested in the hilt that would have been used by someone of status. Attached Images

Yesterday, 01:32 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,361	Pictures of the whole thing from the auction site: Attached Images

Yesterday, 11:57 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,596	What a fascinating item! Jose, have you considered that this might be from Brunei (including the hilt)? The pommel has suffered a few fractures to the crest and beak of the pommel, which seem to have been repaired fairly well. The carving strikes me as unusual for Tausug work, hence my suggestion of Brunei (or other Malayan areas of western Borneo). Last edited by Ian; Yesterday at 05:42 PM. Reason: Spelling

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Yesterday, 01:18 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,468	Hello Jose, Agree with Ian, a very nice ivory hilt but a very unusual carving for a Tausug hilt. The scabbard of the keris could be Malay but the blade doesn't strike me as Malay. Regards, Detlef

Yesterday, 01:35 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,305	The carving is typical Southern Chinese in style, probably not earlier then 1920ties, possibly later. I guess, an older hilt did get embellished. Chinese communities were everywhere.

Today, 04:30 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,361	I've noticed that Chinese ivory carved hilts exhibit this type of fine carving detail. Lost the bid on it.