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Old 5th April 2017, 11:50 PM   #1
Battara
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Default Sultan Gunong

Greetings folks,

Here is what I think is a Marano sultan's gunong. The hilt is made of ivory and gilded copper and silver filigree.

Cross guard is heavy, made of one plate of thick solid minimally chased silver next to a thick solid plate of copper. On top of the copper is a thin sheet of chased gold.

The scabbard has a wooden core encased by copper. Over most of the copper are sheets of chased gold (top and bottom sections). In the middle is a section of chased sheet swassa. Just 2 top and bottom sections of gilded repousse copper.

At the end of the scabbard is a solid plate of silver.

Finally, there is a belt loop of silver with filigree gold plate.

Regarding the blade, though not laminated, it has waves that are not pointed, which indicates to me that this is not a recent creation (there is also patina on the ivory).

I would place this around the end of the 1920s. The size and materials would indicate to me that this is not just datu but sultan class. All of the okir chasing is of Marano style.

This was one of two I know of and was sold to me by a friend who has the twin to this. I have never seen a genuine sultan's example, until now.

Enjoy!
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Old 5th April 2017, 11:51 PM   #2
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Here are some other pictures:
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Old 6th April 2017, 01:59 AM   #3
Ferguson
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Beautiful!
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Old 6th April 2017, 02:35 AM   #4
Berkley
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What a lovely and elegant example. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing.
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Old 6th April 2017, 02:45 AM   #5
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Thank you both.

I was hoping you would see this, "Tito Gunong". You and Spunger have the best collection of gunongs.

This was on my wish list for years..........
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Old 6th April 2017, 03:12 AM   #6
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Very impressive and beautiful !!
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Old 6th April 2017, 03:23 AM   #7
Rick
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Battara
Thank you both.
This was on my wish list for years..........
Where there's a will there's a way.
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Old 6th April 2017, 06:00 AM   #8
Spunjer
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magnificent piece, Jose! i love the gold work on that piece! lotsa bling, i'd say.
excellent catch!!!
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Old 6th April 2017, 09:19 AM   #9
mariusgmioc
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One word: ENVY!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
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Old 6th April 2017, 12:25 PM   #10
Aslan Paladin
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That is one regal-looking gunong indeed. Congratulations!
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Old 6th April 2017, 03:41 PM   #11
F. de Luzon
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Very nice! Thanks for sharing
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Old 6th April 2017, 11:25 PM   #12
Ian
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Lovely gunong, Jose. Congrats on owning such a distinguished piece.
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Old 7th April 2017, 02:43 AM   #13
Rafngard
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Wow.
Just wow.
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Old 9th April 2017, 08:56 PM   #14
Battara
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Thank you folks!

I had heard rumor of these rare beasties, but what I have often seen was later tourist examples. I had to do some long evaluations and research to make to make sure this wasn't one of them............
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Old 9th April 2017, 09:27 PM   #15
Aslan Paladin
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It would be interesting to know the measurements of this beauty Battara.
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Old 10th April 2017, 04:16 AM   #16
Battara
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Ah............good point.

The overall length in scabbard is 20 1/2 inches or 50.63 cm.

A big piece (although found one gunong at a show that was 3 1/2 - 4 feet long - probably for show for a shop).
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Old 10th April 2017, 08:42 AM   #17
F. de Luzon
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That's a nice blade on that gunong. The okir on the scabbard is also of fine detail.
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