There are still lots more stars? is the Sultan a Muslim? is the Sultanate Islamic? Perhaps the inclusion of the Sultan stars is some suggetion to ideas of an Islamic paradise/state on earth? is the 5 star configuration just a help with the overall decorative affect? No answers, but I think this is far from just random pretty sword decoration, it is purposeful. I think the artist would want other people to very quickly understand the imagery?

The 5 star pattern could represent the Sulu Sultanate, which uses 5 stars on the flag to represent the 5 territories under it's control at the time.

It is possible to see a pattern of 7 stars. One either side of the tighter group of 5. If the 5 stars patterns are to represent the Sultanate I see no conflict in a depiction of paradise. I just think it is very cleverly done such a lot of information in such a small space and still beatiful.

Scroll down to Paradise, lots of high art pictures in this site but does include Islam east of India? :shrug:
http://www.patterninislamicart.com/b...ous-dimension/

I think this inscription is not for decoration ( its hardly visually beautiful).

The inscription is also not talismanic I think i.e. its not magic

The inscription is also not an encoded message.

In my opinion the inscription is purely symbolic and is not designed for others to understand but rather it was to remind the original owner of a concept or knowledge which was important to them personally.

It is the the simple graphics fitting the form that is the beauty for me, perhaps a reminder of a passionate nocturnal outdoors encounter :D

http://science.jrank.org/pages/10606...iterature.html

here's a barung that has some neat squiggly lines inlaid in brass on both sides. i like this one since it's almost as if she's telling me a story. well, than and one of the most intricate handle carvings i've seen. which matches the squiggly lines on the blade.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/P5131669.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/P5131664.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/PC102404.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/PC102405.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/PB282353.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/PB282355.jpg


...and to answer your question, tim; yes, the moros are muslims

I see a stylized okir naga on the blade - nice. :)

barung
 

are this naga? or dragons supposedly? thnks.
bad photo, sorry.

WOW! 2 beautiful Barung's. Love those blades.

Spunjer that pommel looks huge.
Hideyoshi, can you post a photo of the whole Barung.

Here is one of mine that I had posted earlier. The inlay of mine looks like a centipede. What happened to the Moro tenet that images of animals were prohibited. :shrug:

Yes those are naga, and what a wonderful blade at that! :D

Would you post pictures of the whole think (including hilt)?

Kino, nice one too - pommel looks Samal, though need a better picture of it to tell for sure.

hi battara, thnk you soo much for the info. i do not have any new photos of the barung but i hope this old photo from the previous owner will serve it's purpose. it was sold with a matching kris. i will post both blades on a separate thread as soon a i get new photos.

Very nice. I look forward to the pictures and new thread.

Great dragons and centipedes!
Here is one of mine we discussed in an earlier thread.
Seems like centipedes are attracted to shandigans?

Michael

nice barungs, gentlemen!
anymore inlaid barungs???

talismatic kris
 

I have this lovely 19th century kris with talismatic incriptions. I'd like to post some pics of the kris and ask for some opinions. but I do not know how.

This is my first post. Hope you can assist.

Thanks

Rey

As a complete outsider on these weapons I will take a guess and since I was looking at war canoes it does appear that what could be a "from that region" craft with the curved bows marked and of catamaran form with warriors down each flank and the central planking or walkway with the chief navigator and captain/leader …. the concept needs a seascape and I think a few inches down the blade you have just that.. but out of frame... at the stern more warriors shown . a fully armed and manned war canoe is my suggestion... :shrug:

The war canoe best fitting that description is shown below and may be Maori but it gets across my point.