Spanish-American War Period Barong & Kris for Comment

[Nonoy Tan]

It brings up a valid and sometimes contentious point of discussion - who owns ethnographic antiques? James Cuno has written a good book on the subject, entitled Who Owns Antiquity? I have a copy sitting on my coffee table, and it is in the on-deck circle once I finish reading about Percy Fawcett's last sojourn into the Amazon Basin (a one-way trip as it so happened).

Dear LaEspadaAncha,

I agree with your thoughts.

It is not a simple matter and it is difficult to make generalizations on this issue. We have to treat situations on a case-to-case basis.

IMHO, the final arbiter is the collector or owner, hinged on his/her own personal conviction and beliefs. That decision is also made on a case-to-case basis.

I am glad that you have that you have these specimens, and with them the opportunity to research and gather information about their provenance. You thus have the privilege of making an informed decision that I must respect.

[Battara]

Or you can always donate them to the "Battara Museum"....

[Rick]

"To the Conqueror ... "

After that it's up to the individual collector of what remains after General Pershing's order #11(?); no ?

Not so sure we're here to talk about that; more the weapons themselves .

Who owes who is another question entirely .

[A. G. Maisey]

My compliments laEspadaAncha.

A beautifully put argument.

[laEspadaAncha]

Howdy all,

Jose - I'm over here in San Diego... I guess the lack of basic geographic knowledge is endemic, eh?

Alan - thank you for the kind words...

Nonoy & Rick, I agree with you both (and thank you Nonoy)... The one thing I would add is that I really don't consider myself an owner of any of these, or any other antiques - including edged weapons - I am lucky to have, but rather the temporary custodian of these objects, entrusted with their care and preservation for what brief time they happen to be in my possession. Rick, I apologize for the lengthy digression, and will return my focus to the weapons at hand.

Speaking of which, I received pictures of the other kris yesterday, the one that got away. All I can say is !!

Regards,

Chris

[Rick]

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

Howdy all,

Jose - I'm over here in San Diego... I guess the lack of basic geographic knowledge is endemic, eh?

Alan - thank you for the kind words...

Nonoy & Rick, I agree with you both (and thank you Nonoy)... The one thing I would add is that I really don't consider myself an owner of any of these, or any other antiques - including edged weapons - I am lucky to have, but rather the temporary custodian of these objects, entrusted with their care and preservation for what brief time they happen to be in my possession. Rick, I apologize for the lengthy digression, and will return my focus to the weapons at hand.

Speaking of which, I received pictures of the other kris yesterday, the one that got away. All I can say is !!

Regards,

Chris

Chris, this is not my forum to moderate .

My suggestion was that we could become mired in discussion of who should be the heirs of these disparate swords from multiple tribes/cultures .

This is, IMO not productive nor germain .

Oh, and please share any pictures .

Rick

[Battara]

Oh yes, please post the other kris!