Twins of Sulu
 

the only expectation i had going to the antique show this past weekend was to find a decent Wakizashi, and spend quality times with the boys.

within the first hour these two pieces which i have only seen in pictures popped up: a solid silver pommeled barung and a silver junggayan kalis. they are about one of the most exquisite Moro pieces i have ever laid my eyes on. somehow i wanted to believe that these two were commissioned by the same man.

and they said lightning never strikes the same place twice...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!

Cool Fraternal Twins.;):D

What a beautiful pair. I usually don't like polished silver pommels, but these two really look good polished. What's the dimensions of the Kris?
Thanks for sharing.

Congrats, Ron!

Great find, and very attractive silver work.

I can't say that I've seen silver pommels on these weapons before; I assume they're quite rare?

W:eek:W! Congratulations!

One day when I grow up, maybe I can do the same. :)

Jose, do you think these were made using a centrifugal caster? Or would the silver stay molten enough to just pour the silver into the mold without leaving voids?

Hello Rick,

Lost wax casting is not unknown in the region. However, I have not seen any genuine Moro hilts crafted by silver casting: too heavy and precious.

All antique silver pommels seem to have been made by good ol' silversmithing over a core of a resin/filler mix. The malleability of gold and silver really helps to fuse metal joints.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Bob,

You can find quite some examples posted in this forum.

They are neither terribly rare nor that common; ivory seems to have been the preferred material for high-end pommels.

Regards,
Kai

Ron,

Congratulations on the incredible find!! These come to those they choose, and they choose well.

Enjoy

Kino:
blade is 22 1/4"; handle is typical 7"x3"

Kai:
if they had any other way, i'm not sure how the pommel on the barung was made. there's absolutely no seam. which made me think the dam thing is solid. the kris on the other hand, you can see where the seams are.

Bob A.
pleasure meeting you at the show!

drac2k:
as promised, here they are!

Just beautiful! Congrats Ron! :cool:

To answer the question of casting silver, I have seen (and have) pommels like these made of cast silver, but then other detailed parts were probably soldered onto the main pommel. This is not too different from stacking silver overlay on Southwest bracelets.

Wow, can't get better than that! Congrats!! Those are definitely grails!

So lucky to see when Ron bought these...the pics don't do them justice. They are gorgeeeeez!