Archaic Moro barung

[Ian]

This one is a recent pick-up from an online auction. I was surprised to get it as the only bidder on the item. Sometimes things just fall out that way, which helps make collecting such an enjoyable pastime.

The barung is very old. Evidence for this is its style of junggayan hilt, which, I understand, is the oldest style of junggayan hilt known. The elegance and simplicity of this hilt is distinctive. The blade is laminated, of an early shandigan type, and has seen much use. The edge shows several small irregular areas where nicks have been polished out, from the middle of the blade to the tip. The same regions of the blade show surface pitting, again consistent with use as a weapon.

After discussion with another forum member, I believe this one dates from the 18th C or very early 19th C. It was most likely owned by a powerful datu or panglima, or perhaps Moro royalty. The blade may have been made in the Sulu Archipelago or could have come from Borneo.

It is very uncommon to find an early junggayan barung like this one outside of museums.

Dimensions:

Overall length = 59 cm (~23.25 in)
Hilt length (blade to tip of kakatua tail) = 21.0 cm (~8.25 in)
Width of junggayan pommel (tip to tip) = 134.0 cm (~5.0 in)
Punto length = 9.5 cm (~3.75 in)
Blade length = 38.0 cm (~15.0 in)
Blade maximum width = 5.5 cm (~2.2 in) at 16.5 cm (~6.5 in) from the hilt
Balance point at 7.5 cm (~3.0 in) from the hilt.

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