Barung --- Origin?

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Does this MOP inlay in the kakatua pommel tells something about the origin? I read in Cato's book (page 38) that shape likes (ivory or bone) were especially popular with the moros who inhabited the southern-most islands of the Sulu Archipelago.
Does this imply my barong is coming possibly from the same area?

Does those silver bandings and braided silver wire banding tells something about the area where it comes from? Or was this combination of braided bandings found all over the Sulu archipelago?


Best Regards,
Maurice

HI Maurice,

Sorry to chime in so late. Yes this is from the Sulu region and it is a rare type according to Cato. IT probably belonged to a chieftain. Braided bands are all over the Sulu region, and seems to be missing a little bit of it. There was originally more of a top plume to the back and beak to the front. MOP usually indicates a later period, perhaps 1900 or later.