Barong surprise!

JeffS · 19th January 2025, 05:12 AM

I bought this one off Ebay (top picture) since I've been looking for an older example with brass ferule. It was a good price so I picked it up even though it had some minor losses to the handle. I like this refined lines of this style pommel. After a light vinegar etch I was impressed by the pattern (second photo), reminds me of hairpin pattern on some Himalayan pieces. I then went to polish the handle (third photo) and found it wasn't polishing like brass and thought, could it be? Sure enough it tested as gold! This is what keeps me collecting!

Gustav · 19th January 2025, 08:02 PM

Very attractive piece overall, and the laminations are fantastic!

Sajen · 19th January 2025, 08:48 PM

Agreed with Gustav, very nice barung with nice lamination! Never before have I seen a barung with a gold alloy sleeve. Great score!
Regards,
Detlef

David R · 19th January 2025, 10:58 PM

What a great find! And a Suwasa (Suasa soeassa, swassa) mount as well, wow.

Ian · 20th January 2025, 12:23 AM

Good score Jeff! It is very uncommon to find a suassa punto on what is a rather plain barung. Likewise the presence of a hairpin laminated pattern in the blade. This is a gentry barung for sure. It does not appear to have been used (no edge nicks or oxidation/pitting) and the scabbard is pristine. This may well have been a gift or bride price from a distinguished Moro datu, and it was treated as an heirloom.

An afterthought. The gold could be a gold wash over a silver punto. Battara will know.

JeffS · 20th January 2025, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Good score Jeff! It is very uncommon to find a suassa punto on what is a rather plain barung. Likewise the presence of a hairpin laminated pattern in the blade. This is a gentry barung for sure. It does not appear to have been used (no edge nicks or oxidation/pitting) and the scabbard is pristine. This may well have been a gift or bride price from a distinguished Moro datu, and it was treated as an heirloom.

An afterthought. The gold could be a gold wash over a silver punto. Battara will know.

Thanks Ian. It is not plate (tested) but solid gold alloy between 10k and 14k. The color does not have as much red as I attribute to suasa, I wonder if the alloy contains metal that is not copper.

19th January 2025, 05:12 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	Barong surprise! I bought this one off Ebay (top picture) since I've been looking for an older example with brass ferule. It was a good price so I picked it up even though it had some minor losses to the handle. I like this refined lines of this style pommel. After a light vinegar etch I was impressed by the pattern (second photo), reminds me of hairpin pattern on some Himalayan pieces. I then went to polish the handle (third photo) and found it wasn't polishing like brass and thought, could it be? Sure enough it tested as gold! This is what keeps me collecting! Attached Images

19th January 2025, 08:02 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	Very attractive piece overall, and the laminations are fantastic!

19th January 2025, 08:48 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Agreed with Gustav, very nice barung with nice lamination! Never before have I seen a barung with a gold alloy sleeve. Great score! Regards, Detlef

19th January 2025, 10:58 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,134	What a great find! And a Suwasa (Suasa soeassa, swassa) mount as well, wow.

20th January 2025, 12:23 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,515	Good score Jeff! It is very uncommon to find a suassa punto on what is a rather plain barung. Likewise the presence of a hairpin laminated pattern in the blade. This is a gentry barung for sure. It does not appear to have been used (no edge nicks or oxidation/pitting) and the scabbard is pristine. This may well have been a gift or bride price from a distinguished Moro datu, and it was treated as an heirloom. An afterthought. The gold could be a gold wash over a silver punto. Battara will know.