Gunong for comment
 

I have just acquired this small gunong. I think it's an older example, my guess would be 1900-1920. I think that it will look very nice when the silver is polished and the blade cleaned. Your thoughts on this are welcome.

Hi Detlef!

What a lovely little gem and sweet color to the tooth. You know I gotta ask: ...you gon' etch? :D

Do you or anybody else know when/where this type of Moro ferrule, where little balls and wire is soldered to it, was in use? I've also sometimes seen it on kris and I much prefer it to those ferrules with the chiseled okir. Is the type of decoration we see on this gunong (balls + wire) also referred to as okir, or does that only apply to carvings/chiselings?

Congrats in any case Detlef, and hope you show more pics after some TLC.


Cheers, - Thor

Hello Thor,

thank you for comment. Have to wait until I have received it but think that the blade will receive an etch with vinegar.

Your question regarding okir I will let for others (Jose???;) ) since I am unsure about this but think you can call it okir as well.

Will post pictures after I have received it and have given it some care.

Regards,

Detlef

I looked at this one too and have "too many irons in the fire" at the moment to buy anything else, but I agree it is an older one and should clean up into quite a fine piece.

Congrats on a good get!

Thank you Charles,

hope that our eyes don't let me fooled! :D Have looked already long for an ivory pommel gunong.

Regards,

Detlef

I like it! It is indeed early and I would suspect that the blade will be laminated with an etch.

Usually these come from Mindanao. Hard to tell if Maranao or Maguindanao, though what I can see of the okir points in this direction. As far as date is concerned, I think you are right, maybe 1900-1910.

On the chased versus filigree/granulation question, there is no certain time that these were used since everyone had access to the techniques, although the Maranao did more of this than anyone. In addition chasing goes back millenia in many cultures around the world, including the Philippines.

Congratulations!
I waffled back and forth whether to bid. It should clean up nicely. Can't wait to see it!
Steve

Today I have received the gunong, I am very satiesfied by this buy.

It's not so small I have thought and a heavy dagger, all fittings are from silver, except two suassa bands at the handle and the pommel is elephant ivory. The upper silver band with belt loop was attached wrong. Here some pictures taken by flash light.

You should be satisfied....a little clean up revealed a gorgeous example and I know you were especially excited by the suassa.

Congrats on a great get!

Wonderful addition to your collection and a great catch. It looks very nice after the cleaning and quite at home with the other two you have it pictured with. My congratulations for your good fortune. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Robert

Very nice…though items i have with suassa don't seem to tarnish (and they seem pretty tarnished in the original images) so i wonder if those bands aren't copper instead of suassa. You might want to get it tested if you want to be sure.

congrats Detlef! excellent gunong you got there!

Very, very nice! Outstanding example.
Steve

Thank you! :)

David, of course I don't have let test the possible suassa, but it have the correct colour. Have you ever let gold unpolished a long time? It become darker and like this the two bands has looked when I received the gunong. :shrug:

Will post one or two pictures by day light again.

Regards,

Detlef

Here some pictures taken by daylight but with help from flash light.