New Gunong

Robert · 21st January 2014, 08:13 PM

Here is my latest ebay find, a very nice little gunong. I am very happy to say that the fittings are made of coin silver and to my great joy and surprise all of the twisted wire bands on the scabbard and hilt are of low grade gold. Maybe that is the reason be seller thought that all the fittings were made of brass. While the silver itself was tarnished the gold wire (after just wiping with a damp cloth) was still quite bright and shiny. Here are a few photos, before (auction photos) and after a little cleaning. I don't know why the color of the gold wire is washed out so bad (possibly because I had to use a flash when taking the photos) but it can be seen best in the first two photos taken after cleaning. I would date this to the second quarter of the 20th century (1930's) and being of Maranao origin. Etching the blade will be my next step as I believe it to be laminated. Any comments or added information would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

Ferguson · 21st January 2014, 08:16 PM

Robert, that's just stunning. Congratulations! Can't wait to see the etch.

Steve

Robert · 22nd January 2014, 07:31 AM

Hello Steve, and thank you very much for your kind words. I was hoping to have the etch done before posting this on the forum but as usual too many things ahead of it have postponed my getting it done. I hope to be able to post photos of the etched blade in the next week or so.

I am just happy to have finally found a silver fitted example of these wonderful knives/daggers. Now if I can just find a 19th century example of one of these.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 22nd January 2014, 11:38 AM

Hello Robert,

very nice gunong. The gold could be suassa IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

Robert · 22nd January 2014, 05:07 PM

Hello Detlef, Glad you like it. Yes the wire is probibly suassa. It tests out at about 9 to 10K.

Best,
Robert

Battara · 22nd January 2014, 08:11 PM

Yup......then that's swassa........

I would LOVE to have a swassa example......

Battara · 22nd January 2014, 08:12 PM

And just a note: I don't think 19th century examples are as nice - generally much plainer.

Robert · 22nd January 2014, 09:35 PM

Hello Jose, I agree that most 19th century gunongs are usually plainer in overall appearance. I have seen older examples that have the straighter non-bulbous style hilts that were made from ivory, buffalo horn and some of very beautiful wood. The hilts and sheaths on some had silver fittings and even though they were not as highly decorated as ones like this example to me they are just as nice only in a different way.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 22nd January 2014, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

And just a note: I don't think 19th century examples are as nice - generally much plainer.

Yes, here I agree with Jose, the nice and blinky examples are from the 20th century.

21st January 2014, 08:13 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	New Gunong Here is my latest ebay find, a very nice little gunong. I am very happy to say that the fittings are made of coin silver and to my great joy and surprise all of the twisted wire bands on the scabbard and hilt are of low grade gold. Maybe that is the reason be seller thought that all the fittings were made of brass. While the silver itself was tarnished the gold wire (after just wiping with a damp cloth) was still quite bright and shiny. Here are a few photos, before (auction photos) and after a little cleaning. I don't know why the color of the gold wire is washed out so bad (possibly because I had to use a flash when taking the photos) but it can be seen best in the first two photos taken after cleaning. I would date this to the second quarter of the 20th century (1930's) and being of Maranao origin. Etching the blade will be my next step as I believe it to be laminated. Any comments or added information would be greatly appreciated. Best, Robert Attached Images

21st January 2014, 08:16 PM	#2
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Robert, that's just stunning. Congratulations! Can't wait to see the etch. Steve

22nd January 2014, 07:31 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Steve, and thank you very much for your kind words. I was hoping to have the etch done before posting this on the forum but as usual too many things ahead of it have postponed my getting it done. I hope to be able to post photos of the etched blade in the next week or so. I am just happy to have finally found a silver fitted example of these wonderful knives/daggers. Now if I can just find a 19th century example of one of these. Best, Robert

22nd January 2014, 11:38 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Robert, very nice gunong. The gold could be suassa IMHO. Regards, Detlef

22nd January 2014, 05:07 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, Glad you like it. Yes the wire is probibly suassa. It tests out at about 9 to 10K. Best, Robert

22nd January 2014, 08:11 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Yup......then that's swassa........ I would LOVE to have a swassa example......

22nd January 2014, 08:12 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	And just a note: I don't think 19th century examples are as nice - generally much plainer.

22nd January 2014, 09:35 PM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, I agree that most 19th century gunongs are usually plainer in overall appearance. I have seen older examples that have the straighter non-bulbous style hilts that were made from ivory, buffalo horn and some of very beautiful wood. The hilts and sheaths on some had silver fittings and even though they were not as highly decorated as ones like this example to me they are just as nice only in a different way. Best, Robert