My gunong collection and some thoughts

Sajen · 15th June 2015, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue lander

Does anybody have any information on copper/brass bladed gunongs? I understand they were used for ritual purposes?

Sorry, can't answer your question.

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · 15th June 2015, 11:26 PM

Nor can I; being the possessor of a brass wavy bladed dagger made in the style of the non Moro Philippine culture .
Some ideas were put forth .
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+blade+dagger

kronckew · 16th June 2015, 05:53 AM

brass or bronze? was it tested?

Robert · 16th June 2015, 10:16 AM

I have a few of the Luzon brass and copper bladed daggers, have been able to handle a few more besides and have as of yet seen one where the blade was of bronze. In answer to Blue Landers question on copper or brass bladed gunongs, I must say that I have only seen one example and it was at auction and unfortunately I was outbid on it. As far as the original intended purpose for these items I can only repeat what Rick, Jose, Kino and I have written in the link posted above.

Best,
Robert

David · 16th June 2015, 03:17 PM

I cannot remember the source, but i do seem to recall in discussions around keris the idea that a non-ferric blade could be used for magickal purposes, or rather, to get around protective magick on someone who supposedly could not be killed by iron.

Rick · 16th June 2015, 05:02 PM

^^
That was the impression I got from reading Toer's Buru Quartet .
Magick .

blue lander · 16th June 2015, 06:08 PM

Interesting, thank you for the link. Mine has nicks in the edge and the tip is sort of smashed in, as if it stabbed into something hard. So whatever its purpose, it seems to have been put to hard use. I have no idea if the blade is brass, bronze, copper or what. It's orange (with some verdegris) and non magnetic, that's all I know. The bolster is also non magnetic, but it's yellow.

Incidentally I asked a Philippino friend what he thought of it. He suspected the makers didn't have any steel handy so they melted down some copper cables.

15th June 2015, 11:26 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Nor can I; being the possessor of a brass wavy bladed dagger made in the style of the non Moro Philippine culture . Some ideas were put forth . http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+blade+dagger

16th June 2015, 05:53 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,222	brass or bronze? was it tested?

16th June 2015, 10:16 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I have a few of the Luzon brass and copper bladed daggers, have been able to handle a few more besides and have as of yet seen one where the blade was of bronze. In answer to Blue Landers question on copper or brass bladed gunongs, I must say that I have only seen one example and it was at auction and unfortunately I was outbid on it. As far as the original intended purpose for these items I can only repeat what Rick, Jose, Kino and I have written in the link posted above. Best, Robert

16th June 2015, 03:17 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I cannot remember the source, but i do seem to recall in discussions around keris the idea that a non-ferric blade could be used for magickal purposes, or rather, to get around protective magick on someone who supposedly could not be killed by iron.

16th June 2015, 05:02 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	^^ That was the impression I got from reading Toer's Buru Quartet . Magick .

16th June 2015, 06:08 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Interesting, thank you for the link. Mine has nicks in the edge and the tip is sort of smashed in, as if it stabbed into something hard. So whatever its purpose, it seems to have been put to hard use. I have no idea if the blade is brass, bronze, copper or what. It's orange (with some verdegris) and non magnetic, that's all I know. The bolster is also non magnetic, but it's yellow. Incidentally I asked a Philippino friend what he thought of it. He suspected the makers didn't have any steel handy so they melted down some copper cables.