Moro Barong With Real(???) Chinese Influence: A Tortoise Shell Ferrule

[kai]

Hello Charles,

Thanks for posting this special barung!

Judging from the wood (and, partly, workmanship), the scabbard might be a somewhat later replacement.

Maybe the tortoise shell was also added to an antique hilt at a later time (like mid-20th c.), possibly replacing worn braiding or silver bands?

Regards,
Kai

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by kai

Judging from the wood (and, partly, workmanship), the scabbard might be a somewhat later replacement.

Maybe the tortoise shell was also added to an antique hilt at a later time (like mid-20th c.), possibly replacing worn braiding or silver bands?

The scabbard may, of course, be a working life replacement, but it was, at one time, far better than what you now see. It clearly had a carved 'toe', now broken away. The original rattan was in very thin strips all the way up to where you see the replaced rattan now. Keeping in mind the quality of the blade...or lack there of...the scabbard does not really surprise me.

The tortoise shell has the look of having been "born together" with the rest. The patina is consistent. The tortoise bands have been cut in extremely thin strips and fitted under the silver bands(the two top silver bands are loose so it is easy to see) and have been fitted in a way that matches the seams with where the silver band seams are on the underside of the hilt. This tortoise shell bares no resemblance to the thick faux tortoise shell seen on late 20th century examples. The colors are much more subtle than that as well.

No doubt the quality of this piece is mostly in the hilt and little else.