What hilt/scabbard material on this gunong?

Ferguson · 12th February 2012, 08:43 PM

Some (slightly) better pictures. I guess the scabbard trim is copper. It looks pink though. Could it be suassa?
Steve

Battara · 12th February 2012, 10:28 PM

The only way for sure to know if it is copper or swassa is to get it tested by a jeweler.

Nice pictures.

Ferguson · 12th February 2012, 10:48 PM

Thanks Jose.

Sajen · 13th February 2012, 09:07 AM

Hi Steve,

lovely gunong, really beautiful piece. Is it possible to see a picture from the throat of the handle? On some pictures you posted I think to see some black dots which will be a sign for hippo ivory.

Regards,

Detlef

Ferguson · 14th February 2012, 09:53 AM

I'll get a picture for you Sajen. There was a lot of grease on the scabbard from the blade. I'll clean it well and look for the black dots.
thanks,
Steve

David · 14th February 2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The only way for sure to know if it is copper or swassa is to get it tested by a jeweler.

Nice pictures.

Well, usually sausa doesn't tarnish like copper...

Sajen · 14th February 2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Well, usually sausa doesn't tarnish like copper...

But it get dark like gold also.

Indianajones · 14th February 2012, 05:17 PM

Hi after reading this post I read the post 'parang betino' and noticed the similar material used in the Indonesian knife; color, darker areas etc.
(for 'our' convenience I attached a pic from that post here)

Perhaps these ivory filipino handles (in general?) were carved from Asian elephant ivory? (are/were there actually any elephants native to Indonesia??)

To be clear; elephant ivory is reckognizable by diamondshapes visible at the crosscut. Whaletusk and other tooth dont show this diamondpattern at the surface of crosscut.

Maybe the Indonesian armsexperts know more???

Lew · 15th February 2012, 09:25 AM

My guess is that it some type of marine animal tusk. Since there is no sign of that herring bone criss cross pattern in the ivory I doubt that it's elephant ivory.

Steve if you can take a few extreme close up macro pics of the hilt in sun light this may help determine what it is?

Lew

12th February 2012, 08:43 PM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Some (slightly) better pictures. I guess the scabbard trim is copper. It looks pink though. Could it be suassa? Steve Attached Images

14th February 2012, 05:17 PM	#8
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi after reading this post I read the post 'parang betino' and noticed the similar material used in the Indonesian knife; color, darker areas etc. (for 'our' convenience I attached a pic from that post here) Perhaps these ivory filipino handles (in general?) were carved from Asian elephant ivory? (are/were there actually any elephants native to Indonesia??) To be clear; elephant ivory is reckognizable by diamondshapes visible at the crosscut. Whaletusk and other tooth dont show this diamondpattern at the surface of crosscut. Maybe the Indonesian armsexperts know more??? Attached Images

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12th February 2012, 10:28 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,394	The only way for sure to know if it is copper or swassa is to get it tested by a jeweler. Nice pictures.

12th February 2012, 10:48 PM	#3
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thanks Jose.

13th February 2012, 09:07 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,708	Hi Steve, lovely gunong, really beautiful piece. Is it possible to see a picture from the throat of the handle? On some pictures you posted I think to see some black dots which will be a sign for hippo ivory. Regards, Detlef

14th February 2012, 09:53 AM	#5
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I'll get a picture for you Sajen. There was a lot of grease on the scabbard from the blade. I'll clean it well and look for the black dots. thanks, Steve

15th February 2012, 09:25 AM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	My guess is that it some type of marine animal tusk. Since there is no sign of that herring bone criss cross pattern in the ivory I doubt that it's elephant ivory. Steve if you can take a few extreme close up macro pics of the hilt in sun light this may help determine what it is? Lew