Two Interesting Moro Barongs
 

I have just added two very interesting barongs to my collection, both interesting for very different reasons. Both scabbards here are recent.

One has a very nice pattern welded blade, but it is the hilt that is of particular interest. It is carved in floral motifs throughout. I have never a barong hilt finished in this style. The hilt is octagonal, which I typically associate with later pieces and perhaps Tausig(??), but the blade and ferrule don't seem to be of later quality, but instead seem standard to what we would expect from late 19th to early 20th century pieces.

I am not sure we will ever know if the carving was intended from the beginning or was an afterthought, but comments and opinions are welcomed.

The second barong's blade is of interest. It is of homogenous steel with a thickened ridge about midway through the blade and shows two parallel lines of "hamon". Normally I would associate this thickening in the blade with a shandigan blade, but the ridge on this blade starts much further away from the edge then is the norm. I have included an example for comparison.

So, does this anomaly qualify as a shandigan blade or is this simply a forger's attempt to create a blade with unique aesthetics???

Again, comments and opinions are welcomed.

So YOU got the wonderfully carved barong. Thought it was a great and unusual piece. Noticed the flower motif on it reminds me of the same motif used on Visayan pieces.

Battara...would you consider that second barong shandigan...or something else?

wow! beautiful barungs, bro! really love the carvings on the handle!! in regards to your question, both are considered shandigans. the whole concept behind that is shave as much weight off the barung without sacrificing the integrity of the edge, so the only place to do that would be on the main body of the blade.

Makes perfect sense Spunjer. Interesting how the two shandigans have two very different perspectives on how much could be shaved off the blade!!

Thanks for the input.

Okay, just wow! :)

Somewhat the same concept as having a hollow ground blade?
Great pieces.
The scabbards aren't too shabby either, good work. Did you make them?

I did not make the scabbards, Kino, but I am sure the forumite that did will be pleased to hear that!

Anyone have any idea about the origin of the barong with floral hilt? I am assuming the octagonal shape would be a clue and I think perhaps Tausig, but am not sure....

Hello Charles,

Congrats, I like these barung!


Maybe not the finest carving quality but still very nice and rare! I have no doubts this being a genuine late 19th c. barung.

I am adding pics (from Erik) of another barung with octagonal hilt; carving is of a somewhat different style though.


If the carving was not original, the fit of the silver sleeve would not be as good IMHO.


Is the ridge really the thickest section of the blade? Typical shandigan blades are usually hollow ground between the ridge and the back of the blade; this one looks more like flat ground?

Please post close-ups of both blades. Neat hardening job on the second (if not laminated)!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Charles, and like so many other I would like to congratulate you on scoring these wonderful shandigan barongs. I only have the one below but noticed that the end of the hilt has a striking resemblance to the one that Kai posted the photos of. Could you by chance let me know who it was that made the great looking scabbards for your barongs?

Best,
Robert

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the kind words. The scabbards were made by fellow forum member Philip Tom.