Early barong beauty

[Sajen]

This small early jungayyan barong ended yesterday by ebay, sadly I was outbid since I have been at work and was unable to follow the auction. Hopefully someone from our members is the happy winner, I think it's a real bargain: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moro-S-E-Asi...c#ht_25wt_1153
It is with 8 1/2" blade a rather small example but I think a very early one. I think it is worth to add it to our archives.

[CharlesS]

Certainly and interesting piece and a classic older shape, but with an 8.5in. blade it almost seems too small...perhaps it was for a datu's son???

[Robert]

Hello Detlef, Sorry to hear you were not able add this very nice piece to your collection. Looking at the photos, the hilt looks like it would to be able to accommodate the hand of a grown man. I'm just thinking out loud now, but could it be that these small examples were made to be used as a companion piece to a full sized barong and used in the same manner as a dagger would be used in conjunction with a sword, a practice that might have been picked up from the Spanish?

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, Sorry to hear you were not able add this very nice piece to your collection. Looking at the photos, the hilt looks like it would to be able to accommodate the hand of a grown man. I'm just thinking out loud now, but could it be that these small examples were made to be used as a companion piece to a full sized barong and used in the same manner as a dagger would be used in conjunction with a sword, a practice that might have been picked up from the Spanish?

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,

can't have every time so good luck but have been a little bit angry when I have seen the result of the auction.
Could it have been a pure presentation dress piece? Agree with you that it is a very nice piece. And the price was a real bargain IMHO.

Regards,
Detlef

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, Sorry to hear you were not able add this very nice piece to your collection. Looking at the photos, the hilt looks like it would to be able to accommodate the hand of a grown man. I'm just thinking out loud now, but could it be that these small examples were made to be used as a companion piece to a full sized barong and used in the same manner as a dagger would be used in conjunction with a sword, a practice that might have been picked up from the Spanish?

Best,
Robert

A good question. I have been informed by the Filipino community that the "espada y data" method to which you are referring is a Spanish influence in Luzon and the Visayas, but not in the southern Philippines. Even they did have swords and daggers, they did not use this method of combat.

They barony may very well be a dress piece, since they had both ones for dress and ones for everyday wear.

[Robert]

Thank you for clarifying this Jose, I knew it was a common form in Luzon but did not know it was not used by the Moro as well. The idea of this being a dress piece would make a lot of sense as being smaller in size it would be much more comfortable to wear during a formal dinner or meeting where being seated for an extended period of time was normally required.

[Sajen]

Thank you as well Jose!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Certainly and interesting piece and a classic older shape, but with an 8.5in. blade it almost seems too small...perhaps it was for a datu's son???

I have been at first very unsure also because the blade is so tiny but the handle section seems to have the same length as the blade, so the complete barong has maybe 17in.; still small but for an old style barong maybe ok!? But it's a good possibility that it was for a young datu's son.

Regards,
Detlef