Ivory Hilt Barong for Sharing

Battara · 18th January 2016, 12:28 AM

Congratulations! I am so happy for you (grumble, grumble, envy, envy

).

Indeed a crazy rare barong example. Your's is now the 3rd I have seen (Ashokaarts sold one years ago).

What is also nice is that the naga head on yours has 2 horn eyes. And I agree that the blade is laminated - I can see some already. And again I agree with Spunger (don't get a big head Ron!

) that the cord should stay put and is original. Take it off, and the rest of the wrapping may fall apart.

One day when I grow up, I may get one too...(grumble, grumble, envy, envy

).........

Again congratulations and thanks for posting this. Perhaps more close up pictures after you receive it.

kino · 18th January 2016, 02:32 AM

Congrats on winning the Barung.
There is no mistaking the carving for other than a Naga.

Here is a photo of the hilt on my Barung beside the hilt on DaveS example, (which is published in Cato's book). Almost a negative image of each other.

All three are so similar that it makes me wonder if they're the products of the same carver.

Aslan Paladin · 18th January 2016, 04:09 AM

Detlef - Yes, I agree. I think the cord wrap was done by a native a long time ago and so culturally appropriate (and makes it more interesting). The missing piece of ivory crest tells an interesting story as well.

Robert - Don't worry, I value and respect history so I wouldn't tamper with the cord wrapping. It also gives this sword a more unique identity among the known existing ivory naga-hilted barongs.

Ron - That's an interesting perspective, the cord looped around the neck of the naga symbolizing mastery of the sword wielder over the power of the mythic monster. So this makes it "The Bound Naga".

Battara - I was also thinking that the way the cord wrapping was done might not only to provide a better grip but also to stabilise the hilt, so I would leave it alone. I'll post pictures of it together with the rest of the 'family' when it arrives.

Kino - I was also thinking that, maybe a master carver made all three hilts. Would the well-defined hilt as an animal form indicate that the carver was a non-Moro, like a Chinese perhaps (as a lot of naga hilts are anamorphic in depiction)?

Aslan Paladin · 18th January 2016, 04:47 AM

Here are all three nagas side by side.

carlos · 18th January 2016, 09:33 AM

wowww !!

Congratulations with this great piece !! To me one of the most beatiful pommels to a barong.
Thanks for sharing
carlos

VANDOO · 18th January 2016, 06:27 PM

MY EXAMPLE IS A BARONG BUT IT HAS A MUCH LONGER THINNER BLADE THAN THE OTHERS PICTURED HERE. IT IS 27.25 IN LONG IN SCABBARD WITH A BLADE 18.75 IN. LONG BY 1 AND FIVE EIGHTS INCHES WIDE. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2006 IT DOES HAVE WEAR AND PATINA AND PERHAPS A WATERED STEEL BLADE BUT NOT OBVIOUSLY SO. THERE IS IVORY INSET FOR THE EYES AND ALONG THE BACK OF THE NAGA'S NECK. SILVER FERRULE WITH DESIGNS AND CARVED DESIGNS ON THE SCABBARD. IT WAS SAID TO BE MORO COMING FROM THE SULU AREA MINDANAO ISLAND. BANTI WOOD HANDLE AND OKIER CARVED DESIGN ON FERRULE AND SCABBARD. SORRY FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY, SHADOWS AND COLOR BEING OFF A BIT BUT ITS THE BEST I COULD DO.

CharlesS · 18th January 2016, 08:01 PM

Well, so much for my idea of a 'one of a kind' pommel, but certainly these must be among the rarest of Moro barong hilts. I wonder if anything similar can be found on a kriss??

All beautiful pieces, by the way!

Battara · 21st January 2016, 01:44 PM

I wouldn't say that the carvings are by non-Moro artisans. I have seen some great carving done by them as well as Chinese descent Moros.

This naga is very Moro.

Charles - not seen any of this type on a kris so far.

Ian · 22nd January 2016, 03:30 PM

Vandoo:

Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin.

A rare piece in my experience.

Ian.

18th January 2016, 02:32 AM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 999	Congrats on winning the Barung. There is no mistaking the carving for other than a Naga. Here is a photo of the hilt on my Barung beside the hilt on DaveS example, (which is published in Cato's book). Almost a negative image of each other. All three are so similar that it makes me wonder if they're the products of the same carver. Attached Images

18th January 2016, 04:47 AM	#4
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Here are all three nagas side by side. Attached Images

18th January 2016, 06:27 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	MY EXAMPLE IS A BARONG BUT IT HAS A MUCH LONGER THINNER BLADE THAN THE OTHERS PICTURED HERE. IT IS 27.25 IN LONG IN SCABBARD WITH A BLADE 18.75 IN. LONG BY 1 AND FIVE EIGHTS INCHES WIDE. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2006 IT DOES HAVE WEAR AND PATINA AND PERHAPS A WATERED STEEL BLADE BUT NOT OBVIOUSLY SO. THERE IS IVORY INSET FOR THE EYES AND ALONG THE BACK OF THE NAGA'S NECK. SILVER FERRULE WITH DESIGNS AND CARVED DESIGNS ON THE SCABBARD. IT WAS SAID TO BE MORO COMING FROM THE SULU AREA MINDANAO ISLAND. BANTI WOOD HANDLE AND OKIER CARVED DESIGN ON FERRULE AND SCABBARD. SORRY FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY, SHADOWS AND COLOR BEING OFF A BIT BUT ITS THE BEST I COULD DO. Attached Images

18th January 2016, 12:28 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	Congratulations! I am so happy for you (grumble, grumble, envy, envy ). Indeed a crazy rare barong example. Your's is now the 3rd I have seen (Ashokaarts sold one years ago). What is also nice is that the naga head on yours has 2 horn eyes. And I agree that the blade is laminated - I can see some already. And again I agree with Spunger (don't get a big head Ron! ) that the cord should stay put and is original. Take it off, and the rest of the wrapping may fall apart. One day when I grow up, I may get one too...(grumble, grumble, envy, envy )......... Again congratulations and thanks for posting this. Perhaps more close up pictures after you receive it.

18th January 2016, 04:09 AM	#3
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Detlef - Yes, I agree. I think the cord wrap was done by a native a long time ago and so culturally appropriate (and makes it more interesting). The missing piece of ivory crest tells an interesting story as well. Robert - Don't worry, I value and respect history so I wouldn't tamper with the cord wrapping. It also gives this sword a more unique identity among the known existing ivory naga-hilted barongs. Ron - That's an interesting perspective, the cord looped around the neck of the naga symbolizing mastery of the sword wielder over the power of the mythic monster. So this makes it "The Bound Naga". Battara - I was also thinking that the way the cord wrapping was done might not only to provide a better grip but also to stabilise the hilt, so I would leave it alone. I'll post pictures of it together with the rest of the 'family' when it arrives. Kino - I was also thinking that, maybe a master carver made all three hilts. Would the well-defined hilt as an animal form indicate that the carver was a non-Moro, like a Chinese perhaps (as a lot of naga hilts are anamorphic in depiction)?

18th January 2016, 09:33 AM	#5
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 736	wowww !! Congratulations with this great piece !! To me one of the most beatiful pommels to a barong. Thanks for sharing carlos

18th January 2016, 08:01 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Well, so much for my idea of a 'one of a kind' pommel, but certainly these must be among the rarest of Moro barong hilts. I wonder if anything similar can be found on a kriss?? All beautiful pieces, by the way!

21st January 2016, 01:44 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	I wouldn't say that the carvings are by non-Moro artisans. I have seen some great carving done by them as well as Chinese descent Moros. This naga is very Moro. Charles - not seen any of this type on a kris so far.

22nd January 2016, 03:30 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Vandoo: Thanks for sharing your slim barung with the Naga hilt Barry. I would suggest another possible origin for this one. The slim barung style is occasionally seen on swords from Palawan, and the okired scabbard with a Visayan-style hanger is also found there. I have seen similar barung from there but not with a Naga hilt. The silver(?) ferrule on yours is also a little unusual and consistent with a Palawan origin. A rare piece in my experience. Ian.