Lew:
No offense taken. I didn't bid on it.
These are still being made today. John provided some fine pictures on the old Forum in response to my posting pictures of several similar barung. Most of these newer pieces are probably for the tourist trade. They are well made if not strictly in the traditional style.
See here for the previous thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001304.html
Ian.