Small ivory hilted gunong restore project

Ian · 13th September 2014, 06:26 PM

What a sweet little gunong Detlef. Jose does lovely work.

I think the valuable metal may have been stripped from this knife originally because of its value. Recently, I have been in touch with an old friend, a long time antique store owner in Manila, who says that he has seen many such pieces stripped of their precious metals so that the silver/gold can be sold. He laments this desecration of old artifacts because he believes he could sell the intact piece for much more than the value of the metal taken off them. He has even offered more than the metal is worth to buy the intact items, but the owners have more faith in selling the silver/gold for cash in their own areas than relying on a middle man in Manila who shops these items to antique dealers like my friend.

Ian.

Battara · 13th September 2014, 06:51 PM

Ian, Cato said that same exact thing, sadly.

Anyway, the guard I made is silver and the red bands are rose gold (closed thing to swassa) over brass. On the rose gold bands are sections of silver.

Thank you folks. Happy to bring this back to life!

VANDOO · 13th September 2014, 07:03 PM

A VERY NICE PIECE I AM GLAD TO SEE IT RESTORED AND COMPLETE.
LOOKING AT THE PICTURES OF THE IVORY IT LOOKS LIKE MARINE IVORY WAS USED. A SMALLER SPERM WHALE TOOTH BEING A LIKELY MATERIAL, JUDGING FROM THE SHAPE AND THE LARGE NERVE CAVITY USED FOR THE KNIFE TANG.

Sajen · 14th September 2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

A VERY NICE PIECE I AM GLAD TO SEE IT RESTORED AND COMPLETE.
LOOKING AT THE PICTURES OF THE IVORY IT LOOKS LIKE MARINE IVORY WAS USED. A SMALLER SPERM WHALE TOOTH BEING A LIKELY MATERIAL, JUDGING FROM THE SHAPE AND THE LARGE NERVE CAVITY USED FOR THE KNIFE TANG.

Hello Barry,

have thought that it is elephant ivory. Maybe Jose can give the answer since he has handled it.

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 14th September 2014, 07:14 PM

After handling this piece, I did see some signs of what could look like crosshatching done at an angle. I would there lean toward elephant ivory, probably Indian elephant ivory.

Sajen · 14th September 2014, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

After handling this piece, I did see some signs of what could look like crosshatching done at an angle. I would there lean toward elephant ivory, probably Indian elephant ivory.

Thank you for clarification!

russel · 15th September 2014, 12:34 AM

Great work on a lovely little Gunong. Have/will you polish and etch the blade?

Sajen · 14th September 2014, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

What a sweet little gunong Detlef. Jose does lovely work.

I think the valuable metal may have been stripped from this knife originally because of its value.

Thank you Ian.

Agree about the work Jose has done. Interestingly thought why it come like this, still a mystery why the braided silver band was still with it.

Regards,
Detlef

13th September 2014, 06:26 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	What a sweet little gunong Detlef. Jose does lovely work. I think the valuable metal may have been stripped from this knife originally because of its value. Recently, I have been in touch with an old friend, a long time antique store owner in Manila, who says that he has seen many such pieces stripped of their precious metals so that the silver/gold can be sold. He laments this desecration of old artifacts because he believes he could sell the intact piece for much more than the value of the metal taken off them. He has even offered more than the metal is worth to buy the intact items, but the owners have more faith in selling the silver/gold for cash in their own areas than relying on a middle man in Manila who shops these items to antique dealers like my friend. Ian.

13th September 2014, 06:51 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Ian, Cato said that same exact thing, sadly. Anyway, the guard I made is silver and the red bands are rose gold (closed thing to swassa) over brass. On the rose gold bands are sections of silver. Thank you folks. Happy to bring this back to life!

13th September 2014, 07:03 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY NICE PIECE I AM GLAD TO SEE IT RESTORED AND COMPLETE. LOOKING AT THE PICTURES OF THE IVORY IT LOOKS LIKE MARINE IVORY WAS USED. A SMALLER SPERM WHALE TOOTH BEING A LIKELY MATERIAL, JUDGING FROM THE SHAPE AND THE LARGE NERVE CAVITY USED FOR THE KNIFE TANG.

14th September 2014, 07:14 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	After handling this piece, I did see some signs of what could look like crosshatching done at an angle. I would there lean toward elephant ivory, probably Indian elephant ivory.

15th September 2014, 12:34 AM	#7
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Great work on a lovely little Gunong. Have/will you polish and etch the blade?