Ivory Hilt Barong for Sharing

Ian · 22nd January 2016, 03:30 PM

Vandoo:

Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin.

A rare piece in my experience.

Ian.

Aslan Paladin · 16th December 2016, 03:34 PM

Better late than never. As promised here are photos of the ivory naga barong with the best of my Moro weapons collection. Enjoy.

Sajen · 17th December 2016, 09:56 PM

Very, very nice!

Ian · 18th December 2016, 02:56 AM

Lovely collection and the naga hilt is a rare find. Ian

ArmsAndAntiques · 18th December 2016, 08:57 PM

Hello,

I may be out of my league in the Moro area but can someone more knowledgeable comment on whether the blade displays some signs of watering or wootz.

The last photo of the original post shows what I would characterize as wootz, but perhaps this is not known on Moro origin pieces, and is reflective of other forging used on Moro barong blades.

Regards
LL

Sajen · 18th December 2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsAndAntiques

.....the blade displays some signs of watering or wootz.

The last photo of the original post shows what I would characterize as wootz, but perhaps this is not known on Moro origin pieces, and is reflective of other forging used on Moro barong blades.

This will be a fine lamination.

ArmsAndAntiques · 18th December 2016, 09:40 PM

I attach a photo from the original poster highlighted. This to me, from this photo, looks like strong contrast kara taban wootz.

I've seen quite a few Moro pieces, and though not an expert in that region, cannot say I've seen similar lamination on those kinds of sword, or quite frankly many other blades that are laminated as opposed to watered.

Perhaps Asian Paladin can post some more images of this part of the blade.

One would imagine that if Indonesian parangs were mounted with Persian or Indian wootz blades and that Moro smiths were skilled enough to make exceptional quality twistcore then a wootz forged blade would be in the realm of possibility.

If combining that with the fact that barongs often had Chinese smith forged blades and there is strong evidence of the Chinese using wootz billets to make blades then could such an exceptional, perhaps Datu's barong, have been forged with wootz to signify the importance of the owner?

16th December 2016, 03:34 PM	#2
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Better late than never. As promised here are photos of the ivory naga barong with the best of my Moro weapons collection. Enjoy. Attached Images

18th December 2016, 09:40 PM	#7
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	I attach a photo from the original poster highlighted. This to me, from this photo, looks like strong contrast kara taban wootz. I've seen quite a few Moro pieces, and though not an expert in that region, cannot say I've seen similar lamination on those kinds of sword, or quite frankly many other blades that are laminated as opposed to watered. Perhaps Asian Paladin can post some more images of this part of the blade. One would imagine that if Indonesian parangs were mounted with Persian or Indian wootz blades and that Moro smiths were skilled enough to make exceptional quality twistcore then a wootz forged blade would be in the realm of possibility. If combining that with the fact that barongs often had Chinese smith forged blades and there is strong evidence of the Chinese using wootz billets to make blades then could such an exceptional, perhaps Datu's barong, have been forged with wootz to signify the importance of the owner? Attached Images

22nd January 2016, 03:30 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,472	Vandoo: Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin. A rare piece in my experience. Ian.

17th December 2016, 09:56 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,346	Very, very nice!

18th December 2016, 02:56 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,472	Lovely collection and the naga hilt is a rare find. Ian

18th December 2016, 08:57 PM	#5
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Hello, I may be out of my league in the Moro area but can someone more knowledgeable comment on whether the blade displays some signs of watering or wootz. The last photo of the original post shows what I would characterize as wootz, but perhaps this is not known on Moro origin pieces, and is reflective of other forging used on Moro barong blades. Regards LL