Ivory Hilt Barong from Borneo

Battara · 24th June 2016, 04:08 AM

Also here is an old example of a Borneo barong from www.mytribalworld.com :

Aslan Paladin · 24th June 2016, 05:04 AM

I mean ceremonial type barungs made with ivory or even silver hilts from Borneo. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear about that. I guess the scabbard of the ivory barung does clearly show the characteristic Borneo style, albeit in an appropriately more ornate style befitting the high status of the sword. Is it safe to say as well that the silver fittings of the hilt consists of motifs (geometric pattern, cut-outs or openwork on the silver, and thick silver braid) that is characteristic of Borneo origin?

Battara · 24th June 2016, 03:41 PM

Ah..........I misunderstood.

I have to admit, I have not seen a datu class Borneo barong before.

So........perhaps the motifs on this barong may be typical of Borneo datu barongs, although of course one example does not make a pattern.

That being said, notice at the top of the pommel where the cut out silver is - that is closer to classic Moro floral motif.

Aslan Paladin · 24th June 2016, 09:36 PM

Yup, I see what you mean, the stylised vegetal Moro form which is in stark contrast with the more realistic depiction like that of Borneo, Sumatra or even Java. Hopefully more datu class barungs from Borneo will turn up in the future so that we can establish if there is indeed a defining characteristic to them aside from the scabbard style.

CharlesS · 25th June 2016, 04:52 PM

See revised post below.

CharlesS · 25th June 2016, 04:59 PM

To my eye the silver work on the pommel is not ALL necessarily born with it originally. I question most especially the mid-section silver band. The upper band appears to hide the joint where the pommel is attached. Among most Moro pieces this is done with ivory or horn inserts that are cut to allow for the curvature towards the pommel.

The ferrule, or lower bolster, is not the typical Moro type, that is for sure. I do worry a little bit about what I see as a residue(glue??) stain on it, and wonder if it was a working life or later replacement.

Most worrisome is the center piece. The band looks "machined" to me. Note the lower portion of it and you can see damage to the ivory and uncharacteristic staining, both above and below the band. Was this piece done to hide a broken ivory grip or a damaged one? Note also the staining or spill-over of some sort of residue(again...glue???) between the silver band and the silver cording at the lower portion of the mid section. Note, too, that the silver motifs are not a perfect match on any of the three silver bands, with the center one being most different. Look at the lines and how they are chiseled and how perfect they are... and aren't.

Also note the holes to the back of the grip...was something else there?...perhaps an open work band pinned on like the top one?? Is this a replacement for it? If so, poorly done, indeed.

Regarding the pommel, I would say it had at least been shortened(at the top) and am not sure it is not altogether a restoration considering the coloring of the top portion of it.

No doubt this is a lovely piece, but I think it has seen quite a bit of working life, or later, restoration...or perhaps a combination of the two. I wonder if the top(silver pins still present) and bottom silver bands are original, and the middle one later. Those two come the closest to matching and showing the same type of work.

Aslan Paladin · 25th June 2016, 09:22 PM

It is possible that there have been restorations on this piece as you have pointed out. By the way there were two other swords in the same auction which I believe are Moro kris swords that have been altered by being fitted with Balinese keris hilts. I just don't know if there is some connection.

24th June 2016, 04:08 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Also here is an old example of a Borneo barong from www.mytribalworld.com : Attached Images

25th June 2016, 04:59 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	To my eye the silver work on the pommel is not ALL necessarily born with it originally. I question most especially the mid-section silver band. The upper band appears to hide the joint where the pommel is attached. Among most Moro pieces this is done with ivory or horn inserts that are cut to allow for the curvature towards the pommel. The ferrule, or lower bolster, is not the typical Moro type, that is for sure. I do worry a little bit about what I see as a residue(glue??) stain on it, and wonder if it was a working life or later replacement. Most worrisome is the center piece. The band looks "machined" to me. Note the lower portion of it and you can see damage to the ivory and uncharacteristic staining, both above and below the band. Was this piece done to hide a broken ivory grip or a damaged one? Note also the staining or spill-over of some sort of residue(again...glue???) between the silver band and the silver cording at the lower portion of the mid section. Note, too, that the silver motifs are not a perfect match on any of the three silver bands, with the center one being most different. Look at the lines and how they are chiseled and how perfect they are... and aren't. Also note the holes to the back of the grip...was something else there?...perhaps an open work band pinned on like the top one?? Is this a replacement for it? If so, poorly done, indeed. Regarding the pommel, I would say it had at least been shortened(at the top) and am not sure it is not altogether a restoration considering the coloring of the top portion of it. No doubt this is a lovely piece, but I think it has seen quite a bit of working life, or later, restoration...or perhaps a combination of the two. I wonder if the top(silver pins still present) and bottom silver bands are original, and the middle one later. Those two come the closest to matching and showing the same type of work. Last edited by CharlesS; 25th June 2016 at 09:21 PM.

25th June 2016, 09:22 PM	#7
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	It is possible that there have been restorations on this piece as you have pointed out. By the way there were two other swords in the same auction which I believe are Moro kris swords that have been altered by being fitted with Balinese keris hilts. I just don't know if there is some connection. Attached Images

24th June 2016, 05:04 AM	#2
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	I mean ceremonial type barungs made with ivory or even silver hilts from Borneo. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear about that. I guess the scabbard of the ivory barung does clearly show the characteristic Borneo style, albeit in an appropriately more ornate style befitting the high status of the sword. Is it safe to say as well that the silver fittings of the hilt consists of motifs (geometric pattern, cut-outs or openwork on the silver, and thick silver braid) that is characteristic of Borneo origin?

24th June 2016, 03:41 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Ah..........I misunderstood. I have to admit, I have not seen a datu class Borneo barong before. So........perhaps the motifs on this barong may be typical of Borneo datu barongs, although of course one example does not make a pattern. That being said, notice at the top of the pommel where the cut out silver is - that is closer to classic Moro floral motif.

24th June 2016, 09:36 PM	#4
Aslan Paladin Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Te Aroha, New Zealand Posts: 122	Yup, I see what you mean, the stylised vegetal Moro form which is in stark contrast with the more realistic depiction like that of Borneo, Sumatra or even Java. Hopefully more datu class barungs from Borneo will turn up in the future so that we can establish if there is indeed a defining characteristic to them aside from the scabbard style.

25th June 2016, 04:52 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	See revised post below.