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#1 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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This unusual gunong is one of the latest additions to my collection. The engraved blade is 7 inches in length and 1/4 inch thick. The brass guard and ferule are cast in one piece. It has one of the older style hilt forms instead of the later more bulbous type and is made from a dark and very hard wood. It was split in two places when it arrived and these photos are after the repairs had been made. It has a hand rubbed oil finish with no lacquer or varnish of any kind. The ferule had been damaged and had a split in it that I had close and solder hence the polish. I will darken it later when I etch the blade. Unfortunately there was no scabbard with this piece to help to identify where it is from. The Naga/Dragon engraving on the blade is not of the simpilier line form but is of a more sculpted form. Any thoughts or information on this piece would be greatly appreciated.
Best, Robert |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Hi Robert. Never seen this type of engraving (without inlay) on a gunning before. Based on the type and style of engraving, I would say perhaps Maguindanao. Some large Maguindanao kris have this same type of engraving down both sides of the kris, sometimes engraved, sometimes with metal inlay.
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#3 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Hello Jose, The first time I saw this dagger I was thinking the same thing about it once having inlay, but after it arrived I could find no evidence that it ever did. The engraving has very sharp edges and shows no signs of ever being peened to hold inlay in place. I wish that I could take a better photo that would show the chisel marks that are in the undercut areas that are used to highlight the design itself. Most of the main line design has a raised edge on one side of the groove only which would make it very hard to keep any inlaid material in place. What would be your opinion on the age of this piece be? Going by the hilt style alone I would guess it to be somewhere between 1910 and 1930, but that is only a guess as it could be later and the hilt style could have just been copied from an earlier example.
Best, Robert |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,715
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Hello Robert,
what a beautiful transforming. Like said before, I am also never have seen this way of engraving before by a gunong blade. The handle style is an early one, I would guess also by the ferrule style that this gunong is from 1900-1920. May I ask you how you have closed the splits in the wooden handle? Regards, Detlef |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
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Hello Robert
nice catch! your gunong could be older; say late 1800's? here's a gunong that was made prior to 1900. the pommel appears to be made out of banati wood. really digging that! |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
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as far as provenance, IMHO i think it's of Maranao origin. the okir is reminiscent of a Maranao panolong, or extension beams, on their homes. here's an example:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=torogan (specifically, post 18 and 19) |
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
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#8 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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I misspoke earlier - Maranao and not Maguindanao. Thanks for the correction Ron.
I would also agree with the age mentioned. Many of these seem to be from Mindanao, usually Maranao or Maguindanao. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,730
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no prob, jose.
can't wait til next month and get together with the gang! i say we go back to the Thai place and see Rick sweat! that there is worth it, lol!!! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#10 | |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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![]() Best, Robert |
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#11 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Hello Ron, and thank you for all the great information and links to the other items with this style of engraving. The kris with the dragon/naga engraved down the entire length of the blade is magnificent!! I just wish my health and finances would allow me to attend Timonium this year as I would very much like to meet at least some of the people who have been of such great help and assistance to me over the years. Like everything else, I guess that there is always next year. Thanks again for all the information.
Best, Robert |
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#12 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,715
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![]() ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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Thanks for sharing Robert. That's an interesting gunong!
Steve |
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