Gunong with missing pommel

[Sajen]

some more pictures!

[Indianajones]

Hi Sajen, nice piece indeed and perfect for a restaurationproject. To me the horn piece looks more newer made than the (good old) rest. Especially the end sticking out.
Though it sure is made in the Phil. and probably an attempt to restore the handle and keep all parts together.

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Good luck friend!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Hi Sajen, nice piece indeed and perfect for a restaurationproject. To me the horn piece looks more newer made than the (good old) rest. Especially the end sticking out.
Though it sure is made in the Phil. and probably an attempt to restore the handle and keep all parts together.

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Good luck friend!

Hi Wouter,

good possible that this horn piece is part of an old repair, who knows? You are correct, I want to built up a new pommel from ivory, have bought some time ago an antique billard ball from ivory so I have the material. First I have to repair the silver shoe in down of the scabbard and the silver piece from the handle.

Regards,

Detlef

[David]

Nice restoration project for sure. These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

Nice restoration project for sure. These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade.

Hi David,

all by this dagger is a little bit strange! The ring is oval in diameter and not circular but I think that it is original to it.

Regards,

Detlef

[Indianajones]

Quote; 'These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade'

Indeed they seem more Indian-like, with those stuck on wire in a strange deco. -I could be wrong here- but much comparisson will learn. Apart from the top engraved ring, which does look more like the filipino way.
But its all quite suitable anyway, I would say; make it a nice knife again.

A billiardball!?? How are you gonna try to saw it in pieces to fit it as endpiece? Why not look for a small upper (straight) hippotooth which are not too dificult to find (antique/fleamarkets/ebay?) which are already straight, hollow and just need the end to be rounded (and sides sanded).

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

A billiardball!?? How are you gonna try to saw it in pieces to fit it as endpiece? Why not look for a small upper (straight) hippotooth which are not too dificult to find (antique/fleamarkets/ebay?) which are already straight, hollow and just need the end to be rounded (and sides sanded).

I need ivory for other restaurations also, so I have to saw this billard ball anyway.

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Quote; 'These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade'

Indeed they seem more Indian-like, with those stuck on wire in a strange deco. -I could be wrong here- but much comparisson will learn. Apart from the top engraved ring, which does look more like the filipino way.

It seems, such wire work we could encounter also in Philippines.

[T. Koch]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Wow, are there really documented cases of hippo ivory being used as gunong handles? There are no native hippopotamus anywhere in Asia, so the closest source would be East Africa. Wouldn't that make it the 'Unobtanium' of the times back then? Or was exclusivity exactly the point?

Cool knife - looking forward to the repair!


All the best, - Thor

[David]

Thor, i don't think anyone was suggesting that hippo ivory was traditionally used on gunong, just that there is some availability of that form of ivory on the market today.

[Indianajones]

Yep, indeed That is what I meant. Not so very (intrinsically) cultural correct as the Moros may never have seen/known hippos in their lives! The shape n form are (from the lower straight teeth) already 'handleshaped' and the endresult after grinding n sanding may just look the same as . . .

makes me think; was it seacow- or 'dugong'-teeth they used or perhaps whaletooth for the ivoryhandle. Am not sure if seacows do/did live in the Phill's and if whaletooth ever stranded there (never heard/seen myself).
Certainly have read about this question in one or two topics before but cant remember this answer was finally cleared up..?!?

[kai]

makes me think; was it seacow- or 'dugong'-teeth they used or perhaps whaletooth for the ivoryhandle. Am not sure if seacows do/did live in the Phill's and if whaletooth ever stranded there (never heard/seen myself).

No need to wait for a stranding: Both, dugong and sperm whale were hunted all over the archipelago.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Wow, are there really documented cases of hippo ivory being used as gunong handles? There are no native hippopotamus anywhere in Asia, so the closest source would be East Africa. Wouldn't that make it the 'Unobtanium' of the times back then? Or was exclusivity exactly the point?

Hippo ivory is very commonly seen with Sumatran/Malay keris hilts as well as other objects. There was very intense and ancient sea trade between East Africa (trading port for much of sub-saharan Africa) and SE Asia; from the examples I've seen, I don't think it was regarded more highly than elephant ivory.

I'm not certain having seen any Moro blade with hippo fittings but it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

At first here some better pictures by daylight.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

Cool knife - looking forward to the repair!

All the best, - Thor

Thank you Thor, will keep you informed at this place.

Regards,

Detlef