Go on... show us your Barung!!!

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by Battara

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

Wow, thank you for sharing this! You did a great job with the restoration.

It was my first Barong so I am very happy with it.

[Ian]

Indio_Ira,

I think your blade is of Sulu manufacture but the dress is distinctly Maranao in the style of silverwork on the hilt and the composition of the scabbard. The Sulu origin of the blade can be deduced from the area of maximum width of the blade (shown by the rectangular outline on the attached picture), which less than halfway towards the tip. Blades from Palawan and Zamboanga have more distal areas of maximum width. The different geometries confer different handling characteristics.

Ian

[CharlesS]

These are my two latest...

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

[kino]

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by kino

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

I agree Kino. The reverse side is the same. I am travelling at the moment and will confirm that when I get home.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

Generally when I see octagonal hilts and ferrules I think of Sulu, but I have also learned not to be to "rules" oriented when identifying a piece's origin.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Now there is one more style of ball pommel barong on my list...

[kai]

Hello Charles,

Congrats on 2 nice acquisitions!

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Certainly looks like quite a beast - what are the dimensions and weight?

I have no qualms about this blade originating from the 19th century; the scabbard certainly is a much later replacement (apparently of really nice quality though!).

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Both are beautiful and very rare Charles, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

A Barung that has a similar pommel construction to IndioIra’s. The dovetailed crest reminds me of a Torogan’s panolong

[Battara]

Kai that tail okir is Maranao.

Very nice.

[kino]

Originally Posted by Battara

that tail okir is Maranao.

Makes sense, the Torogan that I'm referring to is in Maranao territory.