Antique Moro Gunong

Ian · 16th February 2018, 02:21 PM

Thanks for sharing this one. I agree it looks to be from the turn of the 20th C and you did a nice clean up. I particularly like the blade with its tight luk that gradually get shorter in length and width, and obviously made with a lot of skill.

Very nice piece.

Ian

Battara · 16th February 2018, 09:42 PM

The metal looks to be low silver/copper alloy.

David R · 16th February 2018, 10:52 PM

Suwasa?

F. de Luzon · 17th February 2018, 12:01 AM

I assumed the metal is brass but I don't know much about metals. I'll have it tested by a jeweler to find out. Thank you all for your insights. I appreciate your comments.

Royston · 17th February 2018, 12:44 AM

Very nice and the photos are impressive as well.

Sajen · 17th February 2018, 09:06 AM

Very nice gunong!

And very good pictures.

Battara · 17th February 2018, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Suwasa?

I it possible that it's a form of swassa, but then I would expect a more copper hue. It could be a form of very red brass, but not seen that before. I have seen silver copper alloys look like this, but a good jeweler will settle the debate without question.

Ferguson · 17th February 2018, 08:21 PM

Very nice sir!

David R · 17th February 2018, 08:31 PM

Red brass, what we call gilding metal in the trade..... could be. I forget about this alloy sometimes, and suwasa/swassa would probably not patina like that.

Sajen · 18th February 2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

..., and suwasa/swassa would probably not patina like that.

Even gold receive a dark patina over years and I've seen suassa very patinated which show only after a polish what it is.

Regards,
Detlef

kai · 18th February 2018, 12:41 PM

Hello Fernando,

I'm with David in that suasa usually doesn't patinate that heavily during active use. However, if not handled for longer periods and with varnish/grime/whatever accumulating, it still is a valid possibility.

There are some quite unusual alloys with low gold and/or silver contents in Asia. IMHO it would be interesting to have it tested: Just make sure the jeweller understands that you're looking for (very) low gold content as this will influence the testing approach. Better yet, results from modern XRF instruments should allow a full understanding of this unusual alloy.

Regardless of the alloy utilized, a nice , early example!

Regards,
Kai

16th February 2018, 02:21 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,523	Thanks for sharing this one. I agree it looks to be from the turn of the 20th C and you did a nice clean up. I particularly like the blade with its tight luk that gradually get shorter in length and width, and obviously made with a lot of skill. Very nice piece. Ian Last edited by Ian; 16th February 2018 at 04:29 PM.

18th February 2018, 12:41 PM	#11
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Fernando, I'm with David in that suasa usually doesn't patinate that heavily during active use. However, if not handled for longer periods and with varnish/grime/whatever accumulating, it still is a valid possibility. There are some quite unusual alloys with low gold and/or silver contents in Asia. IMHO it would be interesting to have it tested: Just make sure the jeweller understands that you're looking for (very) low gold content as this will influence the testing approach. Better yet, results from modern XRF instruments should allow a full understanding of this unusual alloy. Regardless of the alloy utilized, a nice , early example! Regards, Kai Last edited by kai; 18th February 2018 at 01:37 PM. Reason: clearer wording

16th February 2018, 09:42 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	The metal looks to be low silver/copper alloy.

16th February 2018, 10:52 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,138	Suwasa?

17th February 2018, 12:01 AM	#4
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	I assumed the metal is brass but I don't know much about metals. I'll have it tested by a jeweler to find out. Thank you all for your insights. I appreciate your comments.

17th February 2018, 12:44 AM	#5
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Very nice and the photos are impressive as well.

17th February 2018, 09:06 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,421	Very nice gunong! And very good pictures.

17th February 2018, 08:21 PM	#8
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Very nice sir!

17th February 2018, 08:31 PM	#9
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,138	Red brass, what we call gilding metal in the trade..... could be. I forget about this alloy sometimes, and suwasa/swassa would probably not patina like that.